Monaghan’s Wolverine Role

From XMF.com

In released press notes for X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (thanks Rac), 20th Century Fox confirms that Dominic Monaghan is not playing Barnell/Beak, but a charcter named Bradley, who can manipulate electricity. In the comics, the character is Chris Bradley, who goes by the aliases of ‘Bolt’ and ‘Maverick II.’

Team X member Bradley, portrayed by Dominic Monaghan (“Lost,” “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy) can control and manipulate electricity. He’s a haunting figure, having gone into hiding as a circus sideshow attraction. “When we meet Bradley in the film, he’s kind of fallen off the grid,” says Monaghan. “With Team X, he was a guerrilla soldier, but when things got out of hand, and he saw things he didn’t want to see, he left the unit.”

10 Essential Facts About 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

From: Movies.Yahoo.com
Written by: Matt McDaniel

You know the claws. You know the rage. And you know the sideburns. But there is a lot about Marvel Comics' mutant superhero Wolverine that you might not know. So here are ten facts you should know before you see "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," the upcoming prequel that sheds light on his mysterious past. And to see Hugh Jackman back in action, you can skip down to watch three exclusive TV spots from the movie.

1. Wolverine wasn't in the original line-up of Marvel Comics' "X-Men" that was created by Stan Lee in the 1960s. He first appeared as an adversary to The Incredible Hulk, and was brought into the X-Men when the series was restarted in 1975.
2. Co-creator Len Wein's original idea was that the character was actually a wolverine cub that was mutated into human form. He also intended for Wolverine's signature claws to extend from his gloves, not from his body. But these ideas were dropped when new writer Chris Claremont took over the series.
3. Wolverine was originally a supporting character, with the focus of the X-Men stories mostly on team leader Cyclops. But he quickly became a fan favorite, and he got his own solo series in the '80s. Last year, Wizard Magazine ranked him at #1 in their "Top 200 Comic Book Characters of All Time" list.
4. Logan's backstory was mostly kept hidden for the first 25 years of his existence. Finally in 2001, Marvel released the six-issue series "Origin" which told Logan's life story. Born in Canada in the 1800s, James Howlett discovered his mutant powers (and claws of bone that pop out of his hands) after a family tragedy. This story is the jumping off point for the new movie.
5. Russell Crowe was director Bryan Singer's first choice to play Wolverine in the first "X-Men" movie, but his asking price was too high. Scottish actor Dougray Scott was then cast, but he dropped out when filming went long on "Mission: Impossible 2." Hugh Jackman stepped into the role two weeks into filming, and at 6'2", he stands about a foot taller than how Wolverine is depicted in the comics.
6. Around 700 pairs of Wolverine claws were constructed for the original X-Men movie. They were made of metal for close-ups, plastic for longer shots, and rubber for stunts. Each pair were specially fitted for Jackman or the stuntman who wore them. The special effects crew also made a replica of Jackman's arm so that the claws could physically pop out without digital effects.
7. "X-Men: The Last Stand" was the final movie with the original lineup of characters, but more X-movies are in the works. "Wolverine" is intended to launch not only a series of solo movies for Jackman, but also the "Origins" franchise. Currently in the works is "Magneto," exploring the backstory of the villain. Also, "Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz is writing "X-Men: First Class," about the teenage students of Professor X's school.
8. "Wolverine" introduces some new mutants that will be played by some fresh faces. One is long-time fan favorite, Gambit, a mutant who can energize objects into explosive weapons. He'll be played by Taylor Kitsch, star of TV's "Friday Night Lights." It's the biggest movie role yet from the Canadian hockey player-turned-actor, who previously appeared in "The Covenant" and "Snakes on a Plane."
9. The new movie will also introduce audiences to Daniel Henney, an American-born actor who has become an enormous star in South Korea. He broke out in the TV drama, "My Name Is Kim Sam-Soon," a show so popular over half the country tuned in for the series finale. In "Wolverine" he plays Agent Zero, a government operative who is part of the Weapon X program that gives Logan his metallic skeleton.
10. Some more familiar names popping up in the new movie include Liev Schreiber, who put on 40 pounds of muscle to play the menacing Sabretooth. Ryan Reynolds appears as Deadpool, a mutant mercenary who may get his own movie in the future. Dominic Monaghan plays Bolt, who manipulates energy, and will.i.am has his acting debut as the teleporting Wraith. One face you know but won't recognize is Kevin Durand, who was the evil soldier Keamy on "Lost" last season. He is unrecognizable under piles of makeup as the immovable villain, The Blob (but you'll see him in flashbacks).

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" will kick off this year's summer movie season when it rides into theaters on May 1st. To get a peek at the story and action of the highly-anticipated movie, check out these three exclusive TV spots that debuted on FOX earlier this week.

Hugh Jackman Looks Towards ‘Batman Begins’ For ‘Wolverine’ Inspiration, Talks Sequels

From: MTV.

At the moment, you’re likely drooling with anticipation to watch “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “The Dark Knight” over the next few months. Heck, maybe you’ll even go see “Punisher: War Zone.”

But once these thrills have come and gone, what comic book movies will come next? It’s a question we’re all dying to know, and vague promises of “Captain America” and “Thor” movies aren’t cutting it. So instead, we hold out hope for a new take on a familiar hero.

“It feels different,” Hugh Jackman told us recently about “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which he’s currently shooting with eyes towards a May 2009 release. “But I don’t think its going be night and day.”

After being the breakout character in three blockbuster mutant flicks, Logan will try and set a spin-off blueprint that could eventually yield a “Magneto” movie and more. “We are dealing with a character who is probably one of the darker comic book characters ever created,” Jackman said of the flick, which co-stars Liev Schreiber, Dominic Monaghan and Ryan Reynolds. “The movie has a lot of fun elements, but there are layers of pain and darkness to this character.”

“Tonally, I would put it more in the ‘Batman Begins’ sort of realm,” he said, distancing the flick from past “X-Men” movies. “That’s sort of where we’re headed.”

And if Jackman has his way, “Origins” won’t be the last time we see him wielding adamantium claws. “There are two conditions for me doing any more: One is will anybody want to see it, and the second is: Will I still have the passion for it?” he explained. “I really wanted to do this spin-off movie, because I felt we hadn’t truly found who this character was.”

“Right now,” Jackman added, fueling hope for the fanboys, “I feel like I could do another ten or eleven.”

"Lost's" Dominic Monaghan found hanging with Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman

From: Variety.
By Cynthia Littleton

Here's something we didn't expect to see at the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" 1000th episode party on Thursday night: Dominic Monaghan. The dearly departed "Lost" star was making the rounds poolside at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and hanging with "it" couple Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman.

Monaghan must've had a good time making the Jimmy Kimmel-Ben Affleck music vid a few months back (he's in the sing-along celeb gospel choir). He's also guested on "Kimmel" five times since the dawn of "Lost" in the fall of 2004.

Monaghan, looking very neat and clean (we still can't get used to that) in a crisp open-collar dress shirt and gray suit, didn't stay in one spot for too long, but we stopped him long enough to share a heartfelt "awwww" over Charlie's heroic sacrifice. Thesp said he's "trying to do something with Sarah for her show" (presumably the Comedy Central skein that resumes production in the next few weeks) and he does read the scripts that "Touchstone" (guess he didn't get the memo on the name change to ABC Studios) is sending him but is more focused on film than TV these days.

Monaghan reported that he's just wrapped production on the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" pic and is soon off "to go find the world's biggest spider." Not entirely sure what that means. We do know that there's a shot of spider in the "Happy Accidents" exhibition of photos that Monaghan recently had on display at West Hollywood art gallery Hamilton-Selway Fine Art.

By the dim light of the heat lamps at the party, Monaghan looked cheery and chipper, like he was enjoying himself. Heck, that's all we ever wanted for Charlie...isn't it?

Dominic Monaghan’s Beak Brunch

From: JustJared.com

Dominic Monaghan grabs a quick brunch at Erewhon Natural Food Market in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

An exhibition of his photographs titled “Happy Accidents” opens this Friday in West Hollywood. It features pictures of his co-stars from Lost and Lord of the Rings.

Dominic, 31, was most recently in Australia filming scenes as Barnell Bohusk, aka Beak/Blackwing, in the new Wolverine movie.

Hmm, who’s the blonde chick covering her face? She’s sitting in the red MINI Cooper that Dominic’s about to get into…

Dominic Monaghan Talks Wolverine

Dominic Monaghan on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, talking about Wolverine.

Sitting With The Enemy

From: JUSTJARED.


Liev Schreiber and Dominic Monaghan grab lunch with a pal at Swell Bar in Sydney, Australia on Saturday afternoon.

Liev, 40, plays Sabretooth, aka Victor Creed, and Dominic, 31, plays Beak, aka Barnell Bohusk in the X-Men spin-off film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Costars Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Daniel Henney (Agent Zero), and Taylor Kitsch (Gambit) are also in town to film scenes for the new superhero flick.

10+ pictures inside of Sabretooth & Beak lunching together… HERE

EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Durand to play The Blob in Wolverine

From:

by Neil Miller

And just like that, we’ve got another little scoop for you from inside the production of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Last week we told you that Wolverine would encounter The Blob at some point during the upcoming prequel, and now we know who will be jumping into the big rubber fat suit. His name is Kevin Durand.

Not familiar with the name? Just look at the picture to the right. Durand is “that guy” from movies like Wild Hogs, Mystery, Alaska and most recently 3:10 to Yuma. Our source inside the production tells us that Durand was “live-scanned” for The Blob a while ago, but has just officially signed on to the project in recent days. Word is that he will be heading up to his native Canada to shoot scenes for the film sometime next week. This is also important because the rest of the production is happening half way across the world in New Zealand and Australia. Does this mean that The Blob will not share too many scenes with Wolverine himself? Or does it mean that he will be shooting everything in front of a green screen and be digitally inserted into the film? Or better yet, is the production moving to Canada at some point? Time will tell, I’m sure.

In other Wolverine news, Lord of the Rings and Lost star Dominic Monaghan has also joined the production as Barnell, a former military ally of Logan with the power to harness energy and electricity.

Stay tuned for more Wolverine news in the coming weeks… We will keep our recon team working overtime for you.

Dominic Monaghan is Beak, aka Blackwing

From: & JustJared.com.

Just Jared reports that former "Lost" star Dominic Monaghan will play Barnell Bohusk (AKA Beak) in 20th Century Fox's X-Men: Wolverine.

Here's a description of the character:
Beak was a mutant whose bones were light and hollow. His arms had begun to grow feathers, which when fully formed, may have allowed him to fly. He could at the mean time glide and fly for short distances with great effort. Beak also had enhanced eyesight along with talons on his hands and feet. Even though Beak had bird-like qualities, it was extremely difficult for him to fly.
You can read more about Beak here!

According to Wiki, Barnell’s body changes into that of a humanoid-bird form, with a beaked face, bulbous eyes, wing-like arms that give him the ability to fly (albeit clumsily), talons on his hands and feet, and double-jointed knees. In mutant form, Beak also possesses heightened agility, and he may possess heightened senses and a lighter skeletal structure like the avian X-Man formerly known as the Angel (Ben Foster played this character in X3).

Monaghan, 31, willll be joining Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Taylor Kitsch (Gambit), Will.i.am (Kestrel), Danny Huston (William Stryker) and Lynn Collins (Silver Fox) in the Gavin Hood-directed pic.

X-Men: Wolverine slashes its way into theaters on May 1, 2009.