Seed Productions, the newly named producing venture headed by Hugh Jackman and John Palermo, has made a first-look deal at 20th Century Fox, reports Variety. It calls for Seed to steer a David Benioff-scripted spinoff film that Jackman will topline after X-Men 3 wraps.
Jackman and Palermo will produce Wolverine with Lauren Shuler Donner and Marvel’s Avi Arad.
While Jackman hasn’t produced a film yet, he has participated in the behind-the-scenes on “X3.” He got a taste of crisis management when helmer Matthew Vaughn abruptly departed and Brett Ratner was hired to replace him.
“It got to be a roller-coaster ride there, but I wasn’t worried because the script is so strong,” Jackman said. “Matthew had his reasons but helped make the movie better before he left. Brett has come in with a lot of enthusiasm and full understanding of the franchise. It has been a real learning curve, as has been putting together the script on ‘Wolverine.’ That project is a good start for me as producer, because I have intimate knowledge of the character.”
Palermo, who’s an executive producer on “X3,” said Benioff will turn in his first draft shortly.
Source: Variety
