Whoops. Looks like someone didn’t do enough schedule checking before they signed their deal, because Darren Aronofsky has unexpectedly decided to quit The Wolverine.
In a statement picked up by The Hollywood Reporter, Aronofsky has announced that, after careful consideration, he’s leaving the director’s chair for the new film, largely because the shooting schedule would have kept him away from the US for too long a time.
"As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of The Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year,” Aronofsky said in the joint release with the studio. “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.”
And Fox’s thoughts on the matter? “While we are of course disappointed that Darren can’t do The Wolverine, we also understand and respect his reasons. Having done both The Wrestler and Black Swan with Darren, we know he is an extraordinary talent and we look forward to working with him on other projects in the future. Hugh Jackman and Fox both remain fully committed to making The Wolverine. We will regroup and move forward aggressively.”
Hhhm… “Move forward aggressively?” Now we’re getting visions of Fox executives screaming at possible future directors and cuffing them about the head if they don’t agree to an ironclad contract that signs over the rights to any family time.
As for who could seriously take over from Aronofsky, David Slade was considered, but might now be too busy with **The Last Voyage of the Demeter **and any work he’s doing on the new Daredevil’s development. Red’s Robert Schwentke was also a candidate, but took himself out of the running. So if you had your pick, who would you want to try to restore the good name of Logan after the dodgy first Origins film?