Grab your tissues and prepare to get your cry on X-Men fans, because Darren Aronofsky has decided not to direct The Wolverine, which was 20th Century Fox’s follow-up to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Though Hugh Jackman is still attached – and production was set to begin real soon – Aronofsky has opted to walk away prior to production because, according to a statement he released, he does not want to be away from his family for a year during production.
He says, “As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of ‘The Wolverine’ would keep me out of the country for almost a year. I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again." 
Now, keep in mind this studio is somewhat notorious for poking around their productions (especially X-Men-related movies) a little too much, and that may have irked Aronofsky, who’s always been a filmmaker that takes huge risks with his work. The partnership never seemed to make sense early on (even though Aronofsky on a Wolverine movie seems brilliant on paper), and while this latest news certainly stings, we can’t really say we’re surprised.
Where do you think they should go from here? Which director would you like to see take over for Aronofsky on The Wolverine, which, as of now, is due out at some point in 2012.
