Fans’ hopes for a stand-alone Logan flick that would erase the bad taste X-Men Origins: Wolverine left in our mouths have been dealt a swift blow: The Oscar-nominated director who wanted to take Hugh Jackman to Japan has left the project.
Citing an unwillingness to be abroad and away from his family for nearly a year—given that the story he wanted to tell would’ve taken Wolverine to Japan for a ninja showdown—Aronofsky parted ways with the still-ungreenlit film that would’ve reunited him with his Fountain star. In a statement, Aronofsky said:
“As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, who have been totally supportive throughout my work on the movie, it became clear that the production of The Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year. … I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won’t be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again.”