X-men Films have revealed that Oscar winning cinematographer Donald McAlpine (Predator, Moulin Rouge), born 1934, has signed onto the project. Continuing, they state that Last Stand and The Prestige make-up artist Kenny Myers is returning to give Hugh Jackman the hair treatment once again.

Whilst X-verse notices that Barry Robison has also been added to the project as production designer.

Rumors also suggest New Zealand as a place for filming, adding to the already cited Sydney, Australia location.

Wizard Universe have got all the dirt on the upcoming Wolverine feature in an interview with Hugh Jackman and others, which boils down to a very nice Wolverine FAQ, the most interesting parts have been provided here, such as potential villains, cameos, the period set, etc. Check out the link for further information.

WILL THE STORY BE MORE EPIC THAN THE BIBLE?
Based on info from insiders who say they’ve read Benioff’s script, get ready for all kinds of prequel action as Wolverine’s first ties to Weapon X, his first run-in with Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), his bonding with adamantium and his feral origins are explored. When asked if the film would touch on Wolvie’s early-year comic book connections to Japan, Jackman curbed the rumor in favor of others.

“[The Japan connection] is still something we really want to do,” admitted the actor-producer. “What we need to do is establish who he is and find out how he became Wolverine. And by the end of the movie, I want it to be that you definitely knew who this guy was, like Mad Max and Dirty Harry. He’s a good guy, but he’s not a nice guy. He’s just the guy you want on your side.”

Sources also mentioned scenes featuring Wolverine in Vietnam, a pre-X-Men love interest for the furry mutant and character names familiar to comic fans such as the teleporter John Wraith, who served with Wolverine on special ops missions as part of Team X, along with Fred J. Dukes (aka the Blob).

WILL THE X-MEN DROP BY FOR A CAMEO?
Apparently, the lone X-Man becomes a little more of a loner in this film as no other students or faculty from the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters are set to appear. […]

When asked about cameos of existing Marvel characters, Jackman responded, “It’s a prequel, so there won’t be many. There will be other new characters.”

[…]

WHO’S GOING TO BLEED?
Early rumors attached Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) as longtime Wolvie villain Silver Samurai, although he publicly denied them. Brian Cox, though, confirmed his character, William Stryker from “X2: X-Men United,” will return to unload untold amounts of crap on Wolvie’s life.

“I know my character is in it,” revealed the actor. “They’ve asked me to be in it but that was a while ago now.” There’s still no confirmation on whether or not he’s signed on. […]

As for other mutant bad guys, Vinnie Jones, who played Juggernaut in “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and Tyler Mane, who appeared as Sabretooth in “X-Men,” both reportedly claimed to be in talks for the film. Specifically, Mane says he’s discussed starring as Victor Creed, the man who one day becomes Sabretooth. If anything, that rumor fits in tightly with the online prequel gossip. Our bets are on Stryker and Creed.

AT WHAT POINT IN WOLVIE’S LIFE IS THIS SET?
According to Cox, “it’s set 17 years ago.” Whether that means 17 years before the events of “X-Men”—which would place it somewhere around the late ’80s—or 17 years before 2007—which would place it around 1990 […]

WHEN WILL I SEE THIS BABY IN THEATERS?
[…] Somewhere in 2008. No word yet on a specific month although the past X-Men films were all released within the May-June-July triangle for full summer blockbuster capabilities.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SNEAK ON THE SET?
[…] Filming is set to start in fall of 2007 or soon after a director […] Expect the Alkali Lake set used in “X2: X-Men United” to return. Scenes for the lake were filmed near Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lake near Calgary.

The Wolverine movie, an X-men spin-off, was given the go ahead from 20th Century Fox last year. The script has been written by David Benioff (25th Hour, Troy) and handed to Gavin Hood to direct - as announced in July 2007. Hood is renowned for his work on Tsotsi and his next film “Rendition” will be out in October.

Hugh Jackman is reprising his role as Wolverine, whilst his and John Palermo’s company “Seeds Production” shall take helm of the development, with Lauren Shuler-Donner as a producer. Jackman recently spoke of Gavin Hood’s work,

“I have long been a fan of Gavin’s work and know he will make a masterful film with the character intensity and action beats the fans expect.”

The feature itself is expected to revolve around Wolverine’s origins, in fact, 20th Century Fox have registered the wolverineorigins.com domain,  with rumors that the film itself could be titled “Wolverine Origins” or some other connotation (there has been no official title announcement). It is expected to take source material from the expansive Marvel Comics history whilst also focusing on the content of the more recent Weapon X graphic novels from Frank Miller (his work is certainly hot stuff at the moment).

Brian Cox is also rumored to return as Wolverine’s nemesis, William Stryker.