When it comes to Wolverine 3, Hugh Jackman’s reported final cinematic adventure as everybody’s favourite kitchenware-fisted Canadian mutant, we’ve only had rumours and conjecture to report on until now. Which is why it actually feels pretty good to finally report something concrete and confirmed for once!
Deadline have learned that Boyd Holbrook has joined the production as the film’s main villain. Besides for having a surname that sounds like a really childish Afrikaans nickname, Holbrook is just coming off a very well received turn as DEA Agent Steve Murphy on Netflix’s critically acclaimed Narcos. As for his reported villainous role in Wolverine 3, the report merely describes him as a “relentless, calculating and intense head of security for a global enterprise who is set against Jackman’s clawed Wolverine/Logan hero”.
Huh. That was definitely not what I was thinking about when I thought of the list of Wolverine villains. In fact I can’t think of single member of Wolvie’s rogues gallery that actually fits that rather utilitarian description – at least none that are worth remembering. This would also seemingly scuttle the widely reported rumour – one fanned by Jackman himself referencing it in several interviews – that screenwriter David James Kelly’s script will be drawing on plot elements from Mark Millar’s incredible “Old Man Logan” story arc. That famous comic book series saw an older Wolverine, vowed to non-violence, being forced to go all berserk again on a cross-country mission in an alternate future where the villains have defeated almost all heroes and conquered America. Not much room for heads of security there.
This would also call into doubt the other rumours that X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘s Liev Schrieber would be reprising his role as Wolverine’s mutant arch-nemesis Sabretooth in the upcoming film. It is certainly possible though that Sabretooth could still be returning as a bad guy, but alongside Holbrook’s unnamed lead villain though. The one person we do know for certain will be back is Patrick Stewart as leader of the X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier. But just like everything else about this movie, we don’t have a clue as to how he will fit into the story.
UPDATE: Well, now this is intriguing. While chatting to Cinemablend about the movie, producer Simon Kinberg revealed that “The ‘Wolverine’ movie takes place in the future.” If that is the case, then all of a sudden those rumours about it taking some story beats from “Old Man Logan” are suddenly looking very good again. Also, depending on how far in the future, this would mean that they could theoretically do whatever they wanted with the character – even killing him off, if needs be – without it messing up the continuity of the current spate of films at all.
Wolverine 3 – which will probably get a much cooler title some time soon – will see The Wolverine director James Mangold back behind the cameras, which will start rolling when the production begins in New Orleans and New Mexico next month. It is scheduled for release on March 3, 2017.
Last Updated: April 12, 2016
