‘Wolverine 3’ Rolling Toward an R Rating
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
Given Deadpool’s new standing as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, it was inevitable people would expect Fox’s forthcoming superhero slate to embrace that blockbuster’s more adult-oriented tone. Wolverine 3 seems ready to oblige.
Speaking with Collider, producer Simon Kinberg made it clear Hugh Jackman’s next—and possibly final—turn as Logan will at last give its hero an opportunity to fully express his berserker rage. “It takes place in the future, and as you and others have reported, it is an R-rated movie,” Kinberg said. “It’s violent, it’s kind of like a Western in its tone. It’s just a very cool, different film.”
Related: ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ Review: Mutant Overload?
Rumors persist that Wolverine 3—now in production under the stewardship of director James Mangold, who helmed 2013’s The Wolverine—will be based on the Marvel 2008-’09 mini-series “Old Man Logan.” That tale is set in a future in which supervillains have divided and conquered the United States, and a past trauma has led the X-Man to retract his steel claws. While Kinberg wouldn’t outright confirm such speculation, the fact that the film will feature a more lone-wolf, Western-style story and vibe lends credence to the idea—as does the producer’s proclamation that “It’s a very radical, bold, different Wolverine than you’ve ever seen in any of these movies.”
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Kinberg wouldn’t flat-out reveal whether Patrick Stewart would be joining Jackman on his next mutant adventure, only reiterating “I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say about that. I will agree with you that Patrick Stewart was rumored to be a part of that film.” That non-denial just feeds the strong speculation Stewart will be reprising his role as X-Men leader Professor Xavier.
Such questions will be answered soon enough, when Wolverine 3—co-starring Narcos’ Boyd Holbrook, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Merchant, and Eriq Lasalle—slices its way into theaters on March 3, 2017.
Hugh Jackman reveals next ‘Wolverine’ will be his last: Watch:
