Variety is reporting that Seed Productions, a new production company formed by actor Hugh Jackman and John Palermo, has agreed to a 'first look' deal with Twentieth Century Fox. According to Variety a key element of the deal calls for the new company to produce a David Benioff-scripted Wolverine movie, with Jackman starring in the title role, as soon as shooting on X-3 ends. Jackman and Palermo will produce the Wolverine film (see 'Hugh Jackman Involved in the Production of X-3, Wolvie'), along with Lauren Shuler Donner and Avi Arad. Benioff is expected to turn in his first draft of a Wolverine script very shortly (see 'Troy Scribe to Pen Wolverine Movie').
According to Variety Jackman was involved in the behind-the-camera drama when director Matthew Vaughn left X3 shortly before filming was to begin. Jackman told the trade, 'It got to be a roller-coaster ride there, but I wasn't worried because the script is so strong. Matthew had his reasons, but he helped make the movie better before he left. Brett has come in with a lot of enthusiasm and a full understanding of the franchise. It has been a real learning curve, as has been putting together the script on Wolverine. That project (Wolverine) is a good start for me as producer, because I have intimate knowledge of the character.'