South African director Gavin Hood is to direct Hugh Jackman in the eagerly-awaited 'X-Men' spinoff film 'Wolverine'.
Variety reports that the film will mix action with the backstory of its titular character.
Hood's film 'Tsotsi' won the Best Foreign Film Oscar last year and he has recently directed Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming thriller 'Rendition'.
Commenting on Hood's decision to direct the film, Jackman said: "I have long been a fan of Gavin's work and know he will make a masterful film with the character intensity and action beats the fans expect."
'Wolverine' goes into production in November and is due in cinemas in 2008.
