SHH have posted a set report from the Omaha beach scenes, simulating the 1944 D-day landings. This is a great read that shows the true effort and grit (or sand?) that goes into shooting a realistic war scene.

I was a part of the WWII, Omaha Beach scenes. From what I can gather, Logan (aka Wolverine) is pretty much the Eternal Soldier archetype. By this I mean he is by nature a warrior and is drawn to wars and conflict. The D-Day landings at Omaha Beach are iconic in American military history. It makes perfect sense from the character story to have this landing as a setting for some of his history.

About 70 extras were hired on for the shooting of the beach landing scenes (plus stunt guys plus stars). These extras were a mix of normal extras and trained army personnel. I fall into the latter category being a member of the Australian Army Reserve. The casting directors wanted to leaven the bread of actors with some real-life soldiers in order to give the scenes a little bit of added realism. I think it worked well.

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Looks like IESB’s report that filming had wrapped was a little premature, just yesterday the X-men Origins production team were simulating war scenes at Blacksmiths Beach. A group of Flickr photographers in the area gathered to take their shots and meet Hugh Jackman. From the pictures it looks like WWII will feature, though it’s unclear how much the movie shall focus on this aspect of Wolverine’s past.

Panoramic by Father McKenzie

More pictures by Naomi Frost

Picture by subgirljess099

From Wikipedia - Wolverine’s brief history, to fill some people in:

During World War II, Logan teams with Captain America versus HYDRA [Captain America cameo!?], and continues a career as a soldier-of-fortune/adventurer. Logan works for the First Canadian Parachute Battalion and the CIA before being recruited for Team X.

As a member of Team X, Logan is given false memory implants. He continues on the team, until he is able to break free of the mental control and joins the Canadian Defense Ministry. Logan is subsequently kidnapped by Weapon X, where he remains captive and experimented on, until his rescue by the Winter Soldier, after which he returns to the Canadian wilderness.

The IESB are reporting that principal photography has wrapped in Australia. How long until we see our first teaser trailer?

Marvel’s Kevin Feige told IESB that X-Men Origins: Wolverine has just wrapped principal photography in Australia and that there are only a couple of weeks left for some pick up shots second unit will be taking care of.

Several sources close to the production have described X-Men Origins: Wolverine as a gritty 70’s type of action film.

An astute SHH reader, Retroman, has spotted that an Australian theatrical agency, Meissner Management, has posted a newly filled role for the latest X-men movie:

TIM POCOCK secures Role of SCOTT SUMMERS in Feature Film “WOLVERINE” US Production Director GAVIN HOOD.

The extent of Summers’ appearance in the movie is not yet known - though given the relatively unknown stature of the actor it may be safe to assume it is only a small role.

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.