• Ryan Reynolds

By Adam Frazier

According to Variety, Fox Studios and Hugh Jackman's production company are in development on a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The sequel will focus on a samurai storyline that originated in the character's comic panel past. And if you happened to stick around after the credits, you may have seen a certain Japanese locale teased. While it's unknown who will write or direct this film, you can guarantee Jackman will be on as an executive producer once more.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine may be one of the dumbest, most unnecessary films I have watched as of late. No care or respect is given to the characters or the practically transparent plot they meander about in. Anyone who has seen the previous X-Men films and has an IQ of 45 would be fully capable of creating a better story. Adamantium bullets? Jesus Christ on a crutch, are you serious Fox? (See Creative Loafing's official review here.)

In related news, Deadpool will be getting his own spin-off. Ryan Reynolds portrayed Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a wise-cracking mercenary who later becomes a test subject of the Weapon X program. In the comics, he becomes Deadpool - a deadly assassin with Wolverine's healing factor and a touch of ninja mystique. In Wolverine, Deadpool is pawned off as Weapon XI - a mutated amalgam of Darth Maul and Mortal Kombat's Baraka. It's so shameful, Ryan Reynolds doesn't even play this character. Scott Adkins takes the role of the mutated Wilson who {SPOILER ALERT!} is subsequently decapitated by Wolverine.

This begs the question, "How in the hell do you redeem a potentially great spin-off after such a cinematic train wreck?" I can only hope for a competent director and a writer who can erase my memories of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Where's an adamantium bullet when you need one?