Gavin Hood to Direct Wolverine

A South African's making a comic book movie, and a big one at that.Variety reports that South Africa’s very own Gavin Hood is set to direct Fox’s big budget comic book film Wolverine. Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as the mutant hero.

"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," said Jackman.

Hood best known for his academy award winning foreign language film Tsotsi will begin production on the film in November for a 2008 release. The film will be produced by Lauren Shuler-Donner, John Palermo and, Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman.

Based on a screenplay by David Benioff, the spin off of the X-Men franchise will focus on Wolverine’s mysterious past in the Weapon X Project.

I’m fairly certain the film will be eyeing a summer release, which (I think) would make it the first ever summer blockbuster to be helmed by a South African.