Darren Aronofsky Begins Talks To Direct ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2,’ Also Offered ‘Tales From The Gangster Squad’

For a guy who professes not to be a comic book fan, Darren Aronofsky could have fooled us. Since breaking through with “Pi” and “Requiem for a Dream,” he’s been attached to a number of graphic novel-related properties, including “Watchmen,” “Batman: Year One,” the Manga adaptation “Lone Wolf and Cub” and “Robocop” (which yeah, isn’t based on a comic book, but might as well be). With his latest film “Black Swan,” picking up excellent buzz, he’s been linked of late to “Preacher,” “Superman” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2.”

Supposedly, Aronofsky was pursuing “Superman” fairly vigorously, but proved to be too much of a perfectionist for Warner Bros, and Zack Snyder landed the gig on Monday. As a result, both Vulture and Deadline are reporting that offers and/or talks are underway between 20th Century Fox and the director for the latter to helm the ‘Wolverine’ sequel. A number of names had been linked, including “Let Me In” director Matt Reeves, Robert Schwentke, who dropped out the running in favor of “R.I.P.D” and “The Osterman Weekend,” and “Twilight: Eclipse” helmer David Slade, but franchise star Hugh Jackman was apparently keen to reteam with his friend and director on “The Fountain,” and seems to have gotten his way.

Supposedly, Aronofsky met with studio head Tom Rothman to ensure that, if he signed on, he’d be given full creative control (man, we bet Gavin Hood wished he’d taken a similar meeting…), and that talks are now underway. It remains to be seen whether Aronofsky will sign on, but clearly, Fox are serious about trying to land the director. We’ve heard some very good buzz on Christopher McQuarrie’s script, which follows Wolverine to Japan (if anyone happens to see it lying around, you know where to send it…), and with Aronofsky on board, this should be a sequel that far surpasses the original. Although, having said that, the film could be nothing but 90 minutes of Jackman clubbing baby seals, and it would still far surpass the original. According to Jackman, filming will kick off in March/April next year, for a Summer 2012 release.

Just to cement how in-demand Aronofsky has become, Vulture also report that, as a consolation prize from Warner Bros., he’s been offered “Tales From The Gangster Squad,” a period gangster movie about cops attempting to bring down notorious LA gangster Mickey Cohen. Ben Affleck got a similar offer last week, but turned it down, so WB have moved on to Aronofsky. Supposedly ‘Wolverine 2’ has the edge, but that could all change in the next few days.