Deadline is reporting that James Mangold (director of the Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line) has won the opportunity to direct the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He beat out fellow directors Antoine Fuqua and Gavin O’Connor for the job that Darren Aronofsky departed from based on personal reasons.
James Mangold is a pretty good choice considering his impressive track record. In addition to directing Walk The Line, he was also at the helm for some really superb films like 3:10 To Yuma and Girl Interrupted. That being said, last year’s Knight & Day is also a Mangold film and it is far from his finest moment. Mistakes are made though, we’re only human. He’s done more good than bad and as it stands, I’m behind this choice, 100%.
The sequel is set to see the adamantium-clawed mutant travel to Japan, with Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine. It’s being written by Christopher McQuarrie and will likely hit theatres sometime in 2012.
