'Wolverine 3' Cast News: Stephen Merchant Joins Cast; Film Begins Casting Calls in New Orleans
Stephen Merchant is the latest actor confirmed to join Hugh Jackman in the as-yet-untitled third "Wolverine" stand-alone film.
Merchant, who has collaborated with Ricky Gervais on a number of projects, including both the U.S. and the U.K. versions of "The Office," is a three-time BAFTA winner. The English comedian has also lent his voice to "The Simpsons" and his dancing prowess to the reality competition "Lip Sync Battle."
Merchant's role in the latest "Wolverine" film has not been announced.
British acting legend Richard E. Grant was recently confirmed to play a certain mad scientist in the film, which will be helmed by "The Wolverine" director James Mangold. There have been a number of theories as to which mad scientist Grant will portray, with the Marvel universe having an abundance of such characters, including Professor Andre Thorton and Dr. Abraham Cornelius, both of whom were involved in the Weapon X project.
Aside from Jackman, Merchant, and Grant, "X-Men" vet Patrick Stewart and "Narcos" actor Boyd Holbrook have also been attached to the film. The former will return as Professor X, while the latter will play the film's main antagonist.
Shooting will begin in May, with New Orleans and New Mexico slated to be the main production sites. According to ComicBook.com, Central Casting has released a casting call for stand-ins and photo doubles for a production called "Juarez." As the website noted, "Juarez" is the code name for the third "Wolverine" installment.
The stand-ins needed for "Juarez" are "Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian looking females over the age of 21." They must be between 4'-4'11", wear size 0-4, and have dark brown hair.
Photo doubles needed are "Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian-looking females" who are aged 6 to 13, with heights between 4'2" and 4'5" and with dark brown hair.
"Wolverine 3" hits theaters March 3, 2017.
