X-Men spin-off confirmed

Legions of comic book fanatics can rest easy, following the official confirmation from studio executives that the much-rumoured Wolverine spin-off is in development.

While it is unlikely that Storm (Halle Berry), Phoenix (Famke Janssen), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Beast (Kelsey Grammer) or even Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut, from X-Men: The Last Stand, will make it into the spin-off, Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as the title character.

A spokesman for Twentieth Century Fox confirmed the project at the Cine Expo in Amsterdam and although experts had tipped Wolverine for a 2007 release, Jackman's busy schedule is likely to push it back to 2008.

Jackman first shot to fame outside of his native Australia in the Royal National Theatre's production of Oklahoma! and was reported to be a last minute addition to the first X-Men project.

Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine but Jackman stepped in when the Twin Town star had to film an additional two months on the Mission Impossible 2 project.

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