While discussing "The Wolverine" with The Huffington Post, director James Mangold shared that he isn't particularly thrilled with the film's marketing. Said Mangold, "I also think the marketing -- the trailers and stuff -- are selling it straight, in a way. My own theory -- I don't think it's bad or good because the movie is the movie -- is that the trailers scare everyone a little in kind of your world. Because they're selling to 14 year olds. I do what I can from my end, but they're not quite giving away the fact that almost half of it is in Japanese with subtitles, are they? That's a little secret!"
By all accounts "The Wolverine" is a very good installment in the X-Men series of films and leagues above it's predecessor "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." So if you're on the fence about seeing "The Wolverine" due to the film's marketing, just remember that what's being shown in tv spots and trailers is not necessarily the film that Jackman and Mangold made. '
The conversation also turned towards "Man of Steel" and the lack of large-scale destruction that so many summer blockbusters now seem to feel is a requirement. Added Mangold, "Well, that's intentional. Not in reaction to anything coming out this summer because I had no idea what anyone was doing -- but it was my own reaction to feeling like (A) we didn't have as much money as those movies and (B), to use the money and metaphor a little bit: I didn't feel like I could afford or have the interest to enter a kind of CG arms race. And I felt that I'd lose, essentially, as a smaller nation. And as you know from my filmography, I don't come from a sensibility where more is more. What you're saying is that we're a little off of the radar. Yeah. And I think that our timing is good, given the kind of movie we are. Meaning that because the movie is more dramatic -- and it does have action -- but it's not trying to even compete on the level of global destruction of the movie that came immediately before. I think that we're a relief."
For the full, lengthier interview with Mangold, click the source link below. "The Wolverine" opens wide in US theaters this week, July 26, 2013.
RELATED CONTENT:
'THE WOLVERINE' Releases New Fight Clip
Comparing The First Trailer For THE WOLVERINE To Chris Claremont's Limited Series
"Spinning out of the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan (Hugh Jackman) travels to Japan where he falls for the beautiful Mariko Yashida (Tao Okamoto) to the grave displeasure of her father Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi) and her half-brother, the fearsome Silver Samurai (Will Yun Lee). But this isn't Logan's first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun or his first encounter with the Yashida clan. Based on a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, Valkyrie) and Mark Bomback (Live Free or Die Hard, Total Recall )and the comic book by Frank Miller and Chris Claremont."
Running Time: 2 hrs 6 minutes
Release Date: July 26, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Brian Tee, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: Mark Bomback (screenplay) Christopher McQuarrie (screenplay) Frank Miller (comic book) Chris Claremont (comic book)