The hunt for a director to bring "The Wolverine" to theaters may soon be over, with "3:10 to Yuma" filmmaker James Mangold the odds-on favorite to get behind the camera for the next chapter in the saga of everyone's favorite clawed Canadian.
According to Deadline, Mangold tops a short list of three directors the studio and star Hugh Jackman are now considering for the job. Gavin O'Connor ("Miracle") and Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") are also on the list, though Mangold is expected to be offered — and accept — the gig in the near future.
It's been a long road to get to this point, with high-profile filmmaker Darren Aronofsky unexpectedly departing the film back in March.
Since then, there's been no shortage of rumors regarding potential directors for the film, which will take the clawed mutant to Japan for an adventure based on a fan-favorite story by Frank Miller and Chris Claremont. The film's script was authored by "The Usual Suspects" writer Christopher McQuarrie, and its source material pits Logan against both a Yakuza crime lord and his own savage nature.
Along with "3:10 to Yuma," Mangold's previous films include "Knight and Day" and "Walk the Line."
"The Wolverine" is expected to hit theaters in 2012.
Let us know what you think of James Mangold directing "The Wolverine" in the comment section or on Twitter! You can also follow me, Splash Page editor Rick Marshall, on Twitter!