The Deadpool effect can no longer be denied. The forthcoming Wolverine 3, which will sadly mark Hugh Jackman's last turn as the clawed mutant, has officially secured its long-rumored R rating. Producer Simon Kinberg (Deadpool, X-Men: Days of Future Past) confirmed the good news to Collider, also revealing that the untitled sequel has already kicked off production.
"It takes place in the future, and as you and others have reported, it is an R-rated movie," Kinberg said. "It's violent, it's kind of like a western in its tone. It's just a very cool, different film." Though Winberg remained predictably mum regarding rumors of a Patrick Stewart appearance, he did promise that the final Jackman-led Wolverine will not disappoint longtime fans. "It's a very radical, bold, different Wolverine than you've ever seen in any of these movies," he added.
Jackman has clearly taken the task of kissing the Wolverine franchise goodbye very seriously, even enlisting The Wolverine director James Mangold to ensure quality control. Mangold, also known for his work on the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and the Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz blockbuster Knight and Day, received high praise from fans and critics alike for his work on The Wolverine in 2013. Now boasting a top-notch director and the blessing of an R rating, this sequel's potential for greatness is practically limitless. The film is currently set to debut Mar. 3, 2017.
Things have been moving quickly for the project following Jackman's revelation back in January that the script was nearing completion. "We have a script," Jackman toldCollider at the time. "A full script. To tell you, two days ago I got the full finished—well, it's not finished, but we're getting super close—as you can see by the rate of my facial hair." Jackman's facial hair growth aside, the star insisted that all involved with his Wolverine sendoff were taking special care not to totally blow it. "I want it to be perfect," he said. "So the moment I know it's perfect, bang, we'll go."
For more timely Wolverine action, fans need look no further than this month's X-Men: Apocalypse. The cinematic mutant party, due May 27, confirmed a long-rumored Wolverine cameo earlier this month with a slice-and-dice trailer that puts the film's lofty ambitions front and center:
We're gonna miss you, bub.
