Who will direct The Wolverine?
It’s been little over two months since Darren Aronofsky left The Wolverine (here), and the studio has been searching for a replacement ever since. We’ve heard from Hugh Jackman the studio isn’t going to settle for just any director (here), and there’s been a couple rumors that Duncan Jones would be directing the film (here and here). Twentieth Century Fox has now released (via Variety) the shortlist of directors competing for the job. Those names include Jose Padilha (Elite Squad, Robocop remake), Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. And Mrs. Smith), Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn’s Finest), Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go, One Hour Photo), Mark Romanek(Fast Five, upcoming Terminator 5), Gavin O’Connor (Miracle, Pride and Glory), James Mangold (Walk The Line, 3:10 To Yuma), and Gary Shore.
The film will have a script by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), and will focus on Logan/Wolverine’s time in Japan. The film was set to film primarily in Japan, but it’s uncertain if that’s still the plan due to the recent tragic Earthquake and Tsunamis that hit the nation. No release date has been set for the film, but the studio could get it out next year if everything comes together quickly. But it would be best to assume the film will be out in 2013.
Mark Romanek or James Mangold would be my two BEST choices from that group.
Oh and I think Justin Lin is attached to T5 and directed Fast Five.