Jackman’s ‘Wolverine’ Starts Shooting in Oz

After some initial filming in New Zealand earlier in the month, Hugh Jackman and the crew behind the new X-Men movie, Wolverine, have arrived in Sydney, where the remainder of the film will be shot.

The film, which is a prequel to the blockbuster X-Men triology also starring Jackman, is set to inject approximately $60 million into the Sydney economy. Morris Iemma, the New South Wales Premier, says that the film will create 250 new full-time jobs, giving the area a much-needed boost.

“Wolverine’s producers have chosen Sydney as the base for this production ahead of Canada, thanks to our key infrastructure at Fox Studios and our talented crew base,” Iemma said in a recent statement.

In order to secure the film for a NSW shoot, Iemma and his Government “agreed to provide a payroll tax rebate” for those involved in the film.

The latest installment in the X-Men franchise is set 17 years before the previous three, and will focus on Jackman’s character, Wolverine, and his origins before joining the Professor and the other infamous X-Men. A number of new mutants will be introduced in the film, including ones played by played by Naomi Watts’s partner Liev Schrieber, actors Ryan Reynolds and Dominic Monaghan, and the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am.

As well as playing the lead role, Jackman is also the producer of the film, which will see his Australian company, Seed Productions, join forces with 20th Century Fox for the first time.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is scheduled for release mid-next year.

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