Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the film features Wolverine heading to Japan for a reunion with a soldier named Ichirō Yashida whose life he saved years before. Wolverine must defend the man's granddaughter Mariko Yashida from all manner of ninja and Yakuza assassins.[23][24]
Christopher McQuarrie, who went uncredited for his work on X-Men, was hired to write the screenplay for the second Wolverine film in August 2009.[25] Darren Aronofsky was chosen to direct the film, though bowed out, stating the project would keep him out of the country for too long.[26] James Mangold was later chosen to direct the film.[27] Mark Bomback was then hired to rewrite McQuarrie's script.[28] Principal photography began in August 2012 in Sydney, Australia and ended in November.[29] The film was released on July 26, 2013