James Mangold, who directed a taut remake of Delmer Daves’ classic western 3:10 to Yuma, has been tapped by Fox and star Hugh Jackman to direct The Wolverine, the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  While the latter film was a critical disappointment, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, has written a very highly regarded screenplay for The Wolverine.  Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) was set to direct The Wolverine, but he dropped out because the filming would take place in Japan and would keep him away from his family at a critical time (see “Aronofsky Ankles The Wolverine”).

 

According to Deadline, Fox wants to begin shooting The Wolverine in Japan in the fall.  In addition to 3:10 to Yuma, Mangold also directed Knight and Day, an action comedy starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz that was produced by Fox.