Wolverine’s Hugh Jackman to create comic book for Virgin Comics

By M&C Movie News Mar 25, 2008, 23:00 GMT

Spinoff from the X-Men following the adventures of Wolverine. The film will delve into the background of the character, who has the ability to self-heal and whose bones are welded to an impossibly strong metal. Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar - as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. Leading up to the events of X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine ...more

Superstar actor Hugh Jackman, already portraying a comic book character in 20th Century Fox's upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is now teaming with Hollywood scribe Marc Guggenheim and publisher Virgin Comics to create the original comic series Nowhere Man.

Story details are being kept under wraps but Virgin officials describe the story as a Sci Fi odyssey set in a groundbreaking vision of the future in which mankind has traded privacy for safety.

“I've had so much fun in the graphic novel world with the X-MEN franchise that I wanted to get even more involved,” said Jackman about the project. “I am so excited to work with Virgin and Marc and create a compelling character and story that hopefully will also make it to the big screen."

Virgin will team with Seed Productions, Jackman's production company with producer John Palermo, to create the comic series and then take it into film and other areas.

Added Palermo: “Seed is thrilled to be in business with Virgin Comics and Marc Guggenheim on this innovative project.  From working on the X-MEN films, we have studied the thought and artistry that go into every issue of a graphic novel series and cannot wait to dive in ourselves.”

Marc Guggenheim, who will pen the original series, is no stranger to comics. He has previously authored comics on Marvel's Wolverine series as well as the best-selling Amazing Spider-Man. Guggenheim has also most recently seen his creative work succeed on the small screen. His Eli Stone is currently running on ABC television to strong reviews.

“Virgin Comics is focused on pairing the best comic book talents with icons in the entertainment industry to develop original stories," said Sharad Devarajan, Virgin Comics CEO. “Hugh Jackman and Marc Guggenheim working together on Nowhere Man is a perfect combination that promises a great story for everyone.”

Added Gotham Chopra, Virgin Comics Chief Creative Officer who will oversee the development of the series with Amanda Schweitzer of Jackman's Seed Productions: “we're already up and running on the creative side of things and having a lot of fun. We believe that our new partnership with the team at Seed on Nowhere Man is the start of something big.”