Christopher McQuarrie has signed on to write the script for the Wolverine sequel, in which Hugh Jackman will return as the Marvel Comics character, a mutant with healing powers and a skeleton laced with the indestructible metal known as adamantium.

The 20th Century Fox movie's story line will take its cue from the early 1980s Chris Claremont/Frank Miller miniseries, which is set in Japan and features Wolverine dealing with ninjas as he struggles to decide whether to follow his animal killer instincts or live under a samurai's code of honor and respect.

The studio put a sequel in development after X-Men Origins: Wolverine carved up almost $180 million at the domestic box office and $363 million worldwide.

The sequel's story line was hinted at in one of the movie's codas after the credits. (The other teased a spin-off based on Deadpool, the character played by Ryan Reynolds.)

McQuarrie is not unfamiliar with the character. The screenwriter, who won an Oscar for The Usual Suspects, reteamed with that film's director, Bryan Singer, to write X-Men. McQuarrie could have received a credit, but he voluntarily took his name off the movie when the final version was more in line with David Hayter's script than his.

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