Hugh Jackman Wants to Return For ‘The Wolverine 2,’ Says They Have a “Really Cool” Idea

Two weeks ago, we heard reports that Fox was developing a 'The Wolverine 2' with director James Mangold. This despite numerous reports from the summer that seemed to indicate that Hugh Jackman was done playing the character and ready to retire the claws after 'X-Men: Days of Future Past.' But, now Jackman has spoken out for the first time since those reports and it sounds like he's had a change of heart and now he's excited to return as Wolverine for another adventure.

Jackman spoke to Entertainment Weekly to promote the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of 'The Wolverine' and said he just spoke to Mangold on the phone last night and that they discussed some "really cool ideas" for the sequel (no details on what those ideas were). As for whether he would return, Jackman said:

I do want to do it with Jim and with [producer] Lauren Shuler-Donner because we had such a great experience. I’m really proud of 'The Wolverine'...I love the character, he’s kind of like a best friend to me, and I don’t ever want to take [him] or the fans for granted. I think we’ve got a great opportunity to make something really cool, but it has to be great. That’s what we’re all working toward.

It's not exactly screaming "YES!!!" from a mountaintop, but it sounds much more optimistic than we've previously heard from Jackman.

Mangold is busy writing a treatment for 'Wolverine 2' and assuming Jackman likes where it's headed, the other question will be, can Fox pay him how much he wants/deserves to get paid. Another Oscar-nomination this year (for 'Prisoners') could significantly raise Jackman's price and, by the time is said and done, he could be getting paid Robert Downey, Jr. money.

It seems like just the other day, we were advocating for Jackman's retirement and a complete 'Wolverine' reboot (oh wait, it was just the other day), but it seems less likely that will happen. Are you happy to see Jackman open to the idea of returning? And what "really cool" idea do you think they are working on?