Darren Aronofsky; director of Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler and Black Swan; is breaking into the comics world on two fronts. Firstly, he's directing the new Wolverine film (simply called The Wolverine), which will not necessarily be associated with the disappointing X-Men Origins: Wolverine (good) and will be set in Japan (cool).
Wolverine's period in Japan is probably one of the most interesting parts about his story in the comics. He travels there and learns the way of the samurai, also learning to control his heightened feral instincts and falling in love. If you're thinking The Last Samurai with adamantium and berserker rage, you're probably not far wrong in terms of story. That's exactly why this picture needs someone like Aronofsky, who will undoubtedly surprise and get to the core. The three of his films I've seen (listed above) were all intense, dark and at times hard to watch but to varying degrees. After seeing Black Swan last night, I must say that if anyone's going to get into the psychological battlefield of Wolverine's head and rip it out in front of an audience in full visceral glory, Aronofsky's that man.
I'm assuming this film isn't going to be for kids and isn't going to do that really annoying thing done in films like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Mission Impossible 2. That thing I'm talking about is taking an action film and trying to appeal to girlfriends by making it look like a series of adverts for Calvin Klein and L'Oreal. It's generally what happens when the star is producing. Let's try and remember that Wolverine is, after all, a grumpy, violent arse. He's a killer with a heart that he really doesn't like anyone to know about. Yes, you might see him saving a kitten but if you did, you'd be shish kebab. Aronofsky is going to make Wolverine badass again, I just know it.
Those of you paying attention may have noticed I said Aronofsky's breaking into the comics world on two fronts. The second way is even more surprising and I know you'll want to find out so click here.
With all of the positive news coming out, I am really excited for this movie now. If he was able to, would you like to see Aronofsky go for an R rating?
ReplyDeleteHey, Josh. To be honest, I don't give much thought to film ratings. For me, it's all about the quality of the film. A film could be rubbish and get an R because of pointless gratuitous violence, or be really good and get an R because it's psychologically unsuitable for youngsters although creatively ingenious. An R-rated Wolverine might be good for how much of a free-rein that would give Aronofsky however I don't think Wolverine's scenes were let down by the PG-13 (UK 12A) rated X2, in which he killed about 11 guys in a row. Not a great answer, I know!
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