RAMPAGE of action-packed scenes and slams of stunning visual effects abound as badass mutants clash in the upcoming “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” In the prequel, Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan/ Wolverine that made him an international superstar - practically indestructible, the tough, animalistic fighting machine that has healing powers, adamantium claws, a tormented spirit and a primal fury known as ‘berserker rage.’
“X-Men Origins” pits Wolverine against ‘uber mutants’ created by William Stryker (Danny Huston) for a covert military cadre called Team X. Together, the mutants face off against each other and an enemy who has sworn to see them destroyed, in a battle – a revolution – that will set the course of the epic war that lies ahead.
Foremost of Team X’s key member is Wolverine’s brother Victor Creed aka Sabretooth, a feral being of unimaginable power played by Liev Schreiber. Incredibly brutal, Sabretooth possesses powers similar to Logan’s. Victor’s ferocity encompasses a feline-like fighting style and leaping ability; at times, he’ll race to the attack on all four limbs. Logan and Victor did not learn they were brothers until their teens, in the aftermath of a family tragedy that leads to the emergence of Logan’s signature berserker rage and claws, turning him into something more and something less than human. Logan and Victor flee their home, forming a bond that transcends even brotherhood.
“I think of Victor as Logan’s doppelganger, his darker side,” says Liev Schreiber. “What drives both of them is their desire to find their place in their world – to belong to something. And that one thing that Victor belongs to is Logan. When that bond is broken, Victor looks to reconnect with his brother, for better or for worse.”
Ryan Reynolds essays another Team X member as Wade Wilson who will later be known as Deadpool. Wade is a highly efficient killing machine and a brilliant swordsman. The charismatic Reynolds captures the essence of the legendary character, giving a powerful performance as the mutant who is nicknamed the ‘Merc with the Mouth’ for his endless stream of wisecracks. “Wade is entered into the Weapon X Program, which turns him from a mortal with incredible genetic abilities into what is basically an immortal with a deadly weapon,” explains Reynolds.
Reynolds seemed destined to take on the role; the actor is a longtime fan of Marvel’s Deadpool comics, “I’ve wanted to play Deadpool most of my adult life,” says Reynolds. “It’s a beloved character with comics fans, so it’s not a responsibility I take lightly.” Wade/Deadpool’s weapon of choice are katana swords, and Reynolds trained extensively to make his swordplay convincing. “I lived, ate and breathed swords,” he recalls.
Another Team X member is Bradley, portrayed by Dominic Monaghan (“Lost,” “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy). Bradley can control and manipulate electricity. “With Team X, he was a guerrilla soldier, but when things got out of hand, and he saw things he didn’t want to see, he left the unit,” explains Monaghan.
Team X member John Wraith, who becomes Wolverine’s closest friend, is a teleporter who can appear or disappear at will. “He’s not to be messed with,” says actor and music icon Will.i.am, of the famed group The Black Eyed Peas, who makes his motion picture acting debut in the film.
An equally fearsome warrior is Agent Zero, an expert tracker with lethal marksmanship skills, played by Daniel Henney. The American-born actor, who became an enormous star in South Korea, notes that Zero and Logan, although once members of the Team, are enemies. “He’s always been jealous of Logan,” says Henney, “and he’s determined to stop him.”
The mutant known as Gambit aka Remy LeBeau was not a member of Team X – Logan encounters him much later in his journey – but he plays a key role in Logan’s revenge-fueled quest. Gambit has the ability to charge matter with volatile kinetic energy, causing the object in question to explosively release its charge on impact. Gambit’s favorite things on which to direct his special talents are a deck of playing cards and a simple bö staff – both of which he turns into powerful weapons when the occasion dictates.
Actor Taylor Kitsch, who nabbed the role after wrapping work for the season on the acclaimed series “Friday Night Lights,” says he understands that “the fans have been waiting [for Gambit’s appearance in an X-Men film],” and reports that he worked hard to live up to their expectations. His training included long sessions with the bö staff and fighting sticks – as well as interminable hours going through packs and packs of trading cards, learning the character’s signature moves. “By the time cameras rolled, I could do quite a bit with a deck of cards,” he says.
Trained in theater, Jackman relishes his roles both as Wolverine and as the film’s producer. Along with director Gavin Hood, as well as Jackman’s producing partner in Seed Productions, John Palermo, and producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, Jackman oversaw virtually every aspect of the film’s pre-production, production and post-production periods. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of his duties as producer was casting.
“This film has lots of great characters new to the X-Men movies,” says Jackman. “It was particularly rewarding to establish these new characters and find the right actors to play them. The whole mantra for everybody involved with this film was, ‘We have to exceed expectations on every level’ and I think we’ve done that with the story, the action, fights, visual effects and the characters. It is great fun.”
From 20th Century Fox , “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” opens April 30 (Thursday) in theaters nationwide – Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Bacolod, Naga, Subic, Pampanga, Baguio, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Cabanatuan, Batangas, Gen. Santos and Zamboanga.
