Darren Aronofsky - Darren Aronofsky Quits Wolverine 2

Darren Aronofsky, the Oscar nominated filmmaker, is no longer directing 'Wolverine 2', the sequel to 2009's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine', reports the New York Daily News.The news will come as a surprise to fans of the franchise, especially considering Aronofsky recently called the script "terrific" and added, "I am very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again". However, in a statement given today (17th March 2011), the Brooklyn-born director said, "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". Aronofsky and Jackman had previously worked together on the 2006 movie 'The Fountain', but the director was not prepared to commit the time needed to complete 'Wolverine 2', saying, "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".

20th Century Fox insist that despite Darren Aronofsky's absence, Hugh Jackman is still dedicated to the project, which is reportedly to be set in Japan. The film is scheduled to hit cinemas in 2012, but it is currently unclear who will be directing.