Hugh Jackman has recently been speaking with the Herald Sun, in doing so be quickly brought up some details about X-men Origins:

“I’m used to these movies now,” he says. “They’re big and there’s a lot involved, a lot at stake, so it’s always high pressure. But Gavin Hood, our director, is a real force. He’s an Oscar-winning director (for Tsotsi) and he’s used to working under different kinds of pressure and stresses.”

Jackman hand-picked Melbourne youngster Kodi Smit-McPhee (Romulus, My Father) to play Wolverine as a young man.

“He’s one of those kids who’s fearless,” Jackman says. “I hope he doesn’t read this article because yes, there is pressure on him because of who he’s playing and the expectations of fans. I was lucky to be completely ignorant of fans’ expectations and the whole world before X-Men came out. I just hope he doesn’t read too much or go on the internet because he naturally has the goods I know the fans will love.”

The second paragraph suggests that we may be seeing a lot more of young Wolverine than first expected.

Reelz Channel have had a sit down talk with Wolverine (and Rendition) director Gavin Hood. The video provides an insightful look into Hood’s thoughts and processes, in particular how he feels about the Wolverine character and consequently how he plans to portray him. A must watch for any fan, this video inspires confidence.

Gavin Hood has recently been chatting with MTV about his latest endeavour, the Wolverine movie. Videos only available in the US.

The IESB have recently spoken with Wolverine director Gavin Hood. The bitty jokey interview that really needs editing down reveals that filming should begin in December, and is expected to take up to 4 months - with shooting taking place down under.

Casting is still ongoing, and Hood states that we should expect to see a PG-13 creation.

SuperHeroHype also got in on the Hood action, revealing the director’s Greek mythology based opinions on Wolverine:

“What appeals to me about the Wolverine character of all the other characters is that my feeling that he’s the one that suffers from the most existential angst … I did some further research and I realized that the character of Wolverine, I think his great appeal lies in the fact that he’s someone who in some ways, is filled with a great deal of self-loathing by his own nature and he’s constantly at war with his own nature. It seemed to me that really what it is, is that it’s a little like great Greek mythology, which is something I’ve always been in love with where the Greek Gods threw thunderbolts and Poseidon conjured up storms, but those mythological stories were designed to examine emotional truths.”

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.