As previously reported, Fox's anticipated sequel The Wolverine began production today in New South Wales, Australia, despite the supposed leading female role yet to be cast. And while Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova is rumored to play Viper, Total Recall actress Jessica Biel was in-talks for the role prior. Having to drop the role, evidently, Biel recently explained to Collider the typical reason why she had to do so.
UPDATE: In a separate interview with Crave Online, Jessica Biel shared what interested her about the Viper role.
"That particular character was really cool. She was this vivacious woman who is thrilled about her own immortality, and it was interesting, that kind of persona, I thought, for a quote-unquote “villain” character. And I was really interested in the director, so it was worth the conversation."
Starring Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee and Svetlana Khodchenkova, directed by James Mangold,
The Wolverine is scheduled to be released on July 26, 2013.