Today, director James Mangold announced that Hugh Jackman‘s next X-Men installment Wolverine 3 will begin filming early next year to make it’s it’s 2017 release date.
The film has been rumored to also have Professor Xavier appear in the film played by Sir Patrick Stewart.
@R_0_B_89 early next year.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) March 5, 2015
The Wolverine 3 is expected to hit March 3rd, 2017
It’s been suggested by Jackman that the film could take cues from Old Man Logan while Mangold has suggested multiple Wolverine stories from the comics could influence the third installment.
At the moment it’s being held-back if Hugh will or will not be apart of the cast of Bryan Singer’s X-Men Apocalypse. The assumption has been from bloggers and reporters he will, but if you’ve noticed in interviews he’s been oddly silent about the film.
Jackman is also looking rather lean, as he stated recently he’d like bulk-up bigger and bigger for future Wolverine appearances. It’s unlikely he could be in Logan-shape for Apocalypse in the next two months.
Fox and Singer have left his name out of all press releases for the film, excluding Jackman could be a way to avoid the subject of him possibly not starring in the film in any major way. Similar to only having a minor cameo in X-Men First Class. Considering how important Jackman is to the franchise you’d think if he was returning they’d make sure to announce that early-on.
Another reason could be a contract negotiation tactic by Hugh Jackman who outside of Wolverine 3 isn’t exactly committed to any other X-Men films. Although, has recently teased a desire to show-up in Deadpool and even talked about wanting to play the role until he dies.
The X-Men films haven’t always followed the comic book canon to-a-t, so if we see another mutant like Channing Tatum‘s Gambit take his place as one of the Four Horsemen I wouldn’t be terribly shocked.
It should be noted that nobody has actually reported or confirmed that Jackman is in the film. Hugh has been exclusively tight-lipped about Apocalypse which isn’t a great sign of his involvement, since he’s very vocal about upcoming projects. Currently he’s neither officially or unofficially apart of the cast.
Then again, Singer could surprise everyone and announce Wolverine for the film.