INTRODUCTION
Soon will be experiencing an important Pop
Cultural moment. The end of Hugh Jackman’s iconic portrayal of James
Howlett/Logan/Wolverine, in the soon to be released Logan, which is already garnering rave
reviews.
To commemorate this seminal event, I will
be recapping and analyzing the three films that I believe are essential primers
for Logan, as well as provide a
retrospective (both personally and socially) on Hugh Jackman’s time in the
role. Then, in a separate post, I will write a review of Logan after I have seen it enough times to develop a coherent and
cogent analysis of the film.
‘LOGAN’ ESSENTIAL
VIEWING
Hugh Jackman has been playing the
Character of James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine on screen for 17 years (more than
that if you count the production of the original X-Men) through 7 films (as lead and star[1])
and two additional cameos. Aside from Logan
which is shaping up to be the ultimate and most moving performance Jackman has
given as the character, there are three other films in Jackman’s history as
Wolverine that, if revisited before the initial screening of Logan, will make the emotional gut punch
of seeing Jackman as Wolverine for the last time resonate to the very emotional core of the
audience and fans. Those three films are, for better or for worse, X-men Origins: Wolverine (2009), The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Each
of these films have their problems. In some cases, a lot of problems. Yet,
since these specific films are adaptations of seminal works in Logan’s
character history, they are important. This creates a strong foundation for the
final chapter in the Jackman/Wolverine Saga.
Like Wolverine himself, X-Men Origins:
Wolverine (the first in the solo Wolverine Trilogy) was a failed
experiment. Planned as the first in a
series of Origin films (hence the title) that would feature various X-men
characters (at the time of development there were similar films planned
involving Xavier and Magneto), the film was never crafted with serious care[2]
Jam packed with too many characters that devolve into shades of their comic
counterparts[3].
This film had a bloated budget that was trying to tell too much story (we go
from 1845-1979 for christ's sake). Part of the reason for this is that they were trying to thread
a very fine needle. They were trying to create a suitable story to explain how
James Howlett became Logan: The Wolverine from the first trilogy, setting up a
film franchise (with the Origins line) and adapt two seminal comic books while
providing some amount of fan service. The
result is that the film falls into plot holes and tired clichés ending with the
film collapsing under its own immense weight. [4]Regardless
of the many flaws of this film, there are a few saving graces that make the
film have enjoyable moments. It is these
silver linings that are also the lynch pin for enjoying Logan
The two best things about X-Men Origins: Wolverine are the
characters of Logan and Creed played by Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber. It is their character’s relationship onscreen and the actor’s friendship offscreen, that contributes to the chemistry between the
two of them which anchors the film. Their relationship outlined in the opening
sequence (which is the best part of the
film) creates the strong parallel between the two characters that exists in
the comics. The slow drift apart over the years as Logan[5]
becomes disturbed and weary of war and killing, while Victor revels in it.
One
of the major changes that they made for this film that I actually agree with is
making Logan and Creed half brothers. This adds to the dramatic tension and
character development for both of them. It see this as even an improvement on
Wolverine’s Origin in the Comics. Throughout that entire graphic novel, once
the character of James Howlett was revealed to be the man we would call Logan,
the other character named Dog (who was a red herring for Logan through the
first part of the book) I assumed would turn out to be Creed by the end of the
story. I was sadly disappointed.
It is my hope that this antagonistic
brotherly relationship, left open ended at the conclusion of Origins, resurfaces and is resolved in Logan. My hope clings to a Cinemablend
article in which Liev Schreiber expressed interest in reprising his role as
Creed after hearing they were going to loosely adapt the Old Man Logan storyline from
the comics, and internet rumblings of a secret villain fight at the end of the
new film. Add to this the reality that
both the star and director of Logan
have worked with Schreiber multiple times and both have strong friendships with
him. Plus, wouldn’t it just be an amazing emotional conclusion if Old Man Logan
and X-23 take on Sabertooth to cap off this version of the characters? It seems
too poetic to pass up[6]
Modeled after the famed and much beloved Wolverine title by Frank Miller and
Chris Claremont. 2013’s The Wolverine makes
good on Jackman and 20th century Fox’s promise to tell “the Japan
story”. Like all of the other films in the X-men Universe established and
(mostly) built by Brian Singer, they both too a lot of liberties with the story,
as well as make some odd choices on what to include and what to omit. Some of the changes work (like making Yukio a
sidekick and Logan’s Bodyguard) other changes did not (the entire climax with
the Silver Samurai).
Mangold’s first foray into the
superhero genre is met with welcome acclaim, breathing new life into a
character’s solo career that was nearly snuffed out in the previous installment.
Positioning Logan in the film as a Ronin (masterless Samurai), Mangold and
Jackman reveal layers of the character that had only been hinted at up until
this point and something that fans truly wanted to see. The trick that Mangold
pulls to make Logan a deeper character is to hinder his healing factor for most
of the film. This coupled with a world
weary performance by Jackman whom turns hopeful and ready to fight by the end.
It is the shot in the arm that both the character and the Franchise needed
going into their big cross over event Days
of Future Past
I have talked about The Wolverine previously on this blog. The film is
utterly fantastic even with the telegraphed reveal at the end and its flawed
climax. What makes this film essential
viewing for Logan is the creative
team behind it, particularly James Mangold.
Given what he accomplished with his freshman outing, in a film franchise
that has become as increasingly complicated and convoluted as its comic book
counterpart, is a miracle. Listening to
interviews Mangold has given about the learning curve he had on The Wolverine inspires me to believe
that his sophomore outing is going to be something special.
Additionally, the two films seem to be a
Gemini. The Wolverine is a film about
James gaining the will to fight again, to become the weapon and the force for
good that we see in Days of Future Past.
Logan feels world weary in a way that inherently different way, beaten
down, not by over guilt of the death of the woman he loved, but the toll life
takes baring the hard decisions and their consequences on broad but tired
shoulders. This parallel of storytelling is most visible in the two films
companionate theme(s). The Wolverine is
very much a Samurai (Jedigeki) picture, whereas Logan is a western; two genres that were built on and influenced
each other. The best example of this is the work of Akira Kurosawa. He was
influenced by the work of John Ford (particularly The Searchers) that inspired
him to create Samurai classics like Hidden
Fortress,
Yojimbo, Sanjuro, and Seven Samurai. In the years since, Yojimbo and Seven Samurai have been remade as westerns; most Famously is the Seven Samurai remake The
Magnificent Seven,
and its remake of the same name. Let us hope
these two films go down in history with similar acclaim.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (DOFP) is the
best X-Men film to date. Not only did it successfully adapt a short, but
impactful storyline from the comics that fans have been clamouring for ever
sense they got a taste of it back in the 1990’s, but it also
acted as its own continuity machine. This film connected the previous X-men
Trilogy featuring Patrick Stewart and
Ian MacKellan with the “First Class” Trilogy featuring James Mcavoy and Michael
Fassbender essentially making this film a world building crossover in the vein
of an Avengers film[7]
Any negativity I can hurl at this film is just a simple nitpick about under
used or undervalued characters.
Even though DOFP is the first X-men film in the franchise that actually feels
like its comic book counterpart, it is essential viewing for Logan in the way that it furthers the
character development of James Howlett and Charles Xavier. This film allows for an interesting reversal
of roles. A despondent and broken Xavier has to be motivated to hope by his
most difficult student. It is this
relationship, particularly by the end of the film, that is stronger and given
more weight. It is Wolverine that pays
back his mentor in a very specific way thus forging their relationship as
father and Son. A relationship that is the bedrock foundation for Logan as a film, positioning the two as
an ailing father being taken care of by his dutiful, albeit grumpy and acerbic
son. It is this connection that looks to
be the emotional core of Logan and one that I am sure will bring me to tears.
THE LEGANCY OF HUGH JACKMAN’S WOLVERINE
Personal
I
first learned rumors of an X-Men film in the Spring issue of Cinemascape
Magazine in 1997. The magazine had a film development section titled “Development
Hell” and the proposed X-men film was often among its ranks. Being weaned on
the excellent X-Men cartoon show in the early 90’s, my friend and I fan casted
the film going off of the X-Men cartoon roster. We unfortunately selected a lot
of “known”, B list or action star actors in many of the roles. I am sorry to report that we chose Michael
Ironside for Wolverine. However, we correctly selected Sir Patrick Stewart as
Professor X. In all fairness I think it was because of our exposure to Star
Trek and that he was the only prominent bald actor that our young minds could
think of. We had also fan casted him for Mr. Freeze in Joel Schumacher’s Batman and Robin based on Batman: The
Animated Series episode “Heart of Ice.” Thankfully we were wrong.
I kept up with the production of the
film. I remember the casting of Dougray Scott in the role and then he had to
drop out due to scheduling conflicts. However, I remember the day I heard about
Hugh Jackman’s casting. I walked into my Senior-level high school science class
in 1999 and my friend told me “They cast Wolverine in the X-men film.” “Who is
it?” I replied anxiously. Just then he seemed a little crestfallen “An unknown
actor from Australia.” He showed me the picture in a magazine that outlined the
characters and the respective actors playing them. I just shrugged my shoulders.
“ He better do a good job.” I was always a little bit hesitant given what the
X-men
meant to me as an adolescent with a disability. Little did I know that almost
18 years later that Hugh Jackman would make his Legacy through the character,
and that character become richer for it.
Social
Though some people might disagree[8],
but the current superhero genre owes its existence to X-Men (2000). The immense positive reaction to the film and the box
office (making a near 300 mil off of a 75mil budget) is what set the tone for
the Sam Raimi Spiderman franchise, the X-Men Universe, Hellboy, Spawn, the resurgence
of Batman with The
Dark Knight Trilogy and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hugh
Jackman’s popularity as Wolverine started it all. And in a world/genre where
people get recast or replaced, Hugh Jackman has
remained a constant. He has been the eye of the Superhero maelstrom over
the better part of two decades. Very soon it will be time to say goodbye, to
Hugh Jackman’s “O’l Knucklehead”…but not just yet. There is one last ride for
Jackman’s James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine in Logan
and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to see it, I can’t wait to own it. I. Just.
Can’t. Wait.
CONCLUSION
Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. He will always be
Wolverine…because he has earned it. There has never been, nor will there ever
be, an actor with so much devotion to a character. 17 years, 9 films. You can
keep your RDJ’s or your revolving door of Batman none of them hold a single adamantium
claw to Hugh Jackman. In fact, Jackman’s
Wolverine has been such a mainstay that anytime a comic book character is
played by the same actor more than once, the number of their performances
should be measured in “Jackmans” ( RDJ for instance, would have 6 “Jackmans”)
Since his portrayal has spanned the character’s entire lifespan and major life
events, Hugh Jackman has played the character to completion. I have always
believed that something becomes special because it has an ending, because there
is an end. The more something continues the more invaluable, less precious it
becomes. So, if Logan truly the end,
no one has earned his rest more than Hugh Jackman. He has paid his dues, and
increased the principle. Now it is time to just live off the dividends.
[1] I
am including his portrayal in Logan
in this number
[2] If
you listen to the special features of X-men:
Origins Wolverine: Jackman really wanted to do the “japan story” by Frank
Millar. The studio told him that before he would be able to do that, he would have
to make this film. So, it is unclear whether or not he had the creative control
he seems to have with Logan. Given
the quality of the film, I think not.
[4]
Painting themselves into a corner, they had wolverine get shot with adamantium
bullets exclusively to wipe his memory. COME’ON!
[5] Or
as Creed calls him “Jimmy”
[6]
And too good to be true…I guess time will tell…soon enough
[7] A
concept that we will see obliterated with the ambitious Infinity War which will
combine the Avengers franchise
characters and the Guardians of the
Galaxy the result being the apex of the Marvel Cinematic Universe dubbed
“MCU”
[8] I
am looking at you, Blade (1998) fans
