New ‘Wolverine’ sequel set for release in July, 2013

Fox has set The Wolverine, a sequel to 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, for a release on July 26, 2013.

Hugh Jackman, who played the character in the original X-Men trilogy and in X-Men Origins, will reprise the role. Collider reports that the film is set to be directed by Knight And Day director James Mangold, who replaced Black Swan’s Darren Aronofsky. The film had faced several production delays in the past, but Fox now appears to be making it a priority to get the film off the ground, notes The Hollywood Reporter.

Considering that Jackman has been cast in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of Les Miserables, 2012 is shaping up to be a busy year for Jackman. Les Miserables is still in pre-production and is slated for a December, 2012 release.

Nevertheless, The Wolverine’s release date guarantees that the summer of 2013 will be as action-packed as 2012’s will be. Thor 2, Man of Steel, Iron Man 3 and R.I.P.D. are all set to hit theaters during summer 2013, notes MTV News.

The Wolverine will feature a screenplay by Christoper McQuarrie, whose recent work includes The Tourist and Valkyrie. He and Mangold will have their hands full trying to resurrect the series after X-Men Origins received a negative response from critics. Still, the film went on to gross $179.7 million in the US.