Why Liev Schreiber’s Sabretooth Didn’t Appear In Logan

Scott Frank, one of the three Logan screenwriters, revealed last month that director James Mangold originally planned to bring back Liev Schreiber to reprise his X-Men Origins: Wolverine role of Sabretooth/Victor Creed. Logan was going to seek out help from his mutant half-brother/nemesis when he, Charles Xavier, and Laura stop off at the Oklahoma City casino — actually shot at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans — to get some rest, a change of clothes, and ditch the limo for a pickup truck. Frank thought it was an interesting idea, but couldn’t recall the exact reason as to why the scene was cut.

However, while promoting his upcoming indie biopic Chuck, Schreiber disclosed that he was approached by its director and star about returning as Sabretooth, but he had to pass up the opportunity due to a scheduling conflict with his Showtime original series.

“There was an invitation early on from Hugh [Jackman] and [director James Mangold] and I would have loved to work on it,” Schreiber told Variety. “It was very difficult given Ray Donovan‘s schedule, and I think they went a different direction as well with story.

“I think it’s a terrific movie,” he continued. “I’m just very proud of Hugh and the way that he handled himself with that franchise and that character. It was a great experience to be involved with one of them and to get to work with them. I had mixed emotions when I heard that he was going to retire.”

In 2029, the mutant population has shrunk significantly and the X-Men have disbanded. Logan, whose power to self-heal is dwindling, has surrendered himself to alcohol and now earns a living as a chauffeur. He takes care of the ailing old Professor X whom he keeps hidden away. One day, a female stranger asks Logan to drive a girl named Laura to the Canadian border. At first he refuses, but the Professor has been waiting for a long time for her to appear. Laura possesses an extraordinary fighting prowess and is in many ways like Wolverine. She is pursued by sinister figures working for a powerful corporation; this is because her DNA contains the secret that connects her to Logan. A relentless pursuit begins … In this third cinematic outing featuring the Marvel comic book character Wolverine we see the superheroes beset by everyday problems. They are ageing, ailing and struggling to survive financially. A decrepit Logan is forced to ask himself if he can or even wants to put his remaining powers to good use. It would appear that in the near-future, the times in which they were able put the world to rights with razor sharp claws and telepathic powers are now over.

Logan stars Hugh Jackman (Logan), Boyd Holbrook (Donald Pierce), Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Dafne Keen (Laura Kinney/X-23), Stephen Merchant (Caliban), Elizabeth Rodriguez (Gabriela), and Richard E. Grant (Dr. Zander Rice).

James Mangold (The Wolverine) directed, based on a screenplay he co-wrote with screenwriters Scott Frank and Michael Green.

Logan is now playing!

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