The Wolverine type Movie

Just as The Wolverine claws its way toward DVD/Blu-ray on Dec. 3 (with a Digital HD release on Nov. 19), talk is heating up about a possible sequel. For his part, star Hugh Jackman has neither confirmed nor denied whether he’ll sign on to play muttonchopped mutant Logan for an eighth time… but the odds are looking good. “I was on the phone with Jim Mangold last night,” Jackman told EW. “There are some really cool ideas that I’m dying to tell you, but that would be giving away a secret that is not even [fully] formed yet.”

Jackman insists that his lapsing contract with Fox, which reportedly will need to be renegotiated after X-Men: Days of Future Past premieres in May, doesn’t mean he’s leaving the franchise in limbo. “I started with a two-picture deal on the first two [X-Men films], and from that point on, it’s been movie by movie — not just me, but Fox and Jim and everyone,” he says. “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.”

The star believes he’s mentally more committed to the character than he’s ever been. “I kind of am enjoying him more than ever… Being older helps playing Wolverine. He’s 200 or 300 years old — no one really knows — and he’s sort of world-weary. The actual working out gets harder and harder, I’ll admit.”

Still, Jackman insists the creative circumstances would have to be right for him to resume his grueling diet-and-exercise regimen in order to don the white tank top again: “I don’t want to dive into another one until we have a compelling reason to do another one,” says Jackman. “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.”

A Wolverine sequel isn’t the only thing in the coffers for Jackman, who will begin shooting Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie early next year (other principles in the film are already in production, he confirms). “It’s a very, very, very good script — very interesting,” he says of the sci-fi crime drama. “I can’t wait to work with Neill. … It’s going to surprise people in a lot of ways. He’s a real visionary.” Jackman reveals his character is named Vincent, and he’ll face off against Dev Patel’s Deon. Though the actors stand at equal height, Jackman’s weight advantage and extensive combat training gives hints that it might not be an entirely fair fight. “Good,” laughs the actor. “Crush him! I’m not in it for a close call.”

Beyond Chappie, Jackman is also still signed up for a biographical musical about Harry Houdini featuring music by Wicked and Pippin composer Stephen Schwartz. Jackman might also take his soaring tenor (which scored him an Oscar nod for Les Misérables) back to the big screen to play caddish Latin lover Aldolpho in the adaptation of Tony-nominated The Drowsy Chaperone. “I loved the original production on Broadway — incredibly funny and terrific, great fun,” he recalls. “I was not sure how that would translate [to film], but the script at the moment is wonderful. I think they’re trying to put the movie together, I don’t think it’s fully together yet, but they are talking to me about it, and I’m very interested in it.”

The only musical for which he definitely won’t be running scales any time soon (or ever)? Ironically, one about Wolverine. That musical could one day come to the Great White Way, but “not with me,” vows Jackman. Then he adds, “But, hey, they did Rocky. Who would have thought?”