Really Marvel? Another one? Has anyone had enough of Wolverine already or is it just me? A friend of mine recently posted the photo above on his Facebook with the caption, “idk how i feel about this, especially after the last one,” and buddy I couldn’t agree with you more. Apparently, I’m a little late to the game and it was announced back in 2009 that there would be a stand alone sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With the recent release of the poster art and promotional shots of Hugh Jackman in what will be his fifth, I repeat, fifth time working Wolverine’s signature claws, the secret, superhero nerd in me begs the question, “Why?”

Are there or are there not 100+ other X-Men to choose from? I was on the edge of my seat watching X-Men: First Class last summer, reveling at all of the potential new story-lines that could be brought to the silver screen. I watch every rerun of the X-Men trilogy whenever it’s on TV and marvel (no pun intended) at the inconceivable abilities these mutants have been born with.

Yet, sadly, I’m left in the dark as to when The Phoenix will rise from the ashes or where in the world Mystique came from? Nightcrawler’s tale will probably never see the light of day, and as for finding out what’s really behind Cyclops’ shades, I’m better off just reading the comic books. While the film has been set to be released on July 26, 2013, I know I can’t be the only one who feels that the portrayal of Wolverine has been played out.

Following the devastating performance by Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern (which I’m aware is not an X-Men, keep your pants on!) and lackluster portrayal of Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I immediately scoffed at the idea of having him reprise his role in a completely new reboot of the character. Sorry dude, but I’m pretty sure 99.9 percent of the reason you were asked to don the skin-tight threads were based 100 percent on your looks. That, unfortunately is set to be released possibly in 2014. I can only continue to have nightmares about what The Justice League movie will be like if DC Comics choose him to be Green Lantern again. Yet, I would take Deadpool, a different, mysterious, unfamiliar X-Men to the same old, same old, tempestuous tyrant I’ve seen four times already.

However, let me play the Devil’s advocate for a minute. I get it. Wolverine is your everyday, wound-up war veteran turned low-key lumberjack turned angered adamantium test dummy grappling with an identity crisis and bent on revenge against those who attempt to use mutant powers for evil. I get it. Classic bad boy turned good, I love it. Or, should I say, I loved it the first four times I learned about Wolverine’s origin in the first few movies. Anyway, moving on. I understand his complexities, his desire to uphold the greater good against the forces of evil, and his unwavering status as the face of the X-Men team. He’s like that guy on the football team that puts up a front that he’s so macho and hardcore but deep, deep down inside is a big teddy bear. Needless to say, Wolverine is strong, compassionate, determined, and loyal…as I’m sure the rest of the X-Men are, which leads me back to my point.

Despite the fact that the next Wolverine movie will focus on another chapter in the hairy hero’s life, why is he the only one that seems to get any extra shine? What is it about Wolverine that makes Marvel want to make prequels and sequels, while the rest of the group get five minute background stories lumped into the introduction of every X-Men movie? While there is no “I” in team, there most definitely is one in Wolverine and Marvel seems to want to milk it for all it’s worth.

Lovelies, what do you think? Are you over Wolverine or am I just ranting?

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