It looks like Darren Aronofsky won't be sinking his claws into The Wolverine, after all.
The Black Swan director has opted out of helming the Hugh Jackman-starring superhero sequel, which was scheduled to begin shooting soon in, of all places, Japan.
Not surprisingly, both Aronofsky's defection and the recent disaster continuing to plague that country leaves the 20th Century Fox project in temporary limbo.
Sources tell us that the film is still hoping to shoot in Japan, but why the change of heart on Aronofsky's part?
"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," the director said in a statement released by the studio. "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."
Despite the setback, Fox stated that while "disappointed that Darren can't do The Wolverine, we also understand and respect his reasons." Both the studio and Jackman "remain fully committed to making The Wolverine. We will regroup and move forward aggessively."
Logan couldn't have said it better himself.