Wolverine sequel casts Silver Samurai and Japanese villains

Wolverine fans, start sharpening your claws.

While it's no secret that Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Marvel's tough-talkin', indestructible mutant in James Mangold's The Wolverine, a slew of actors of Asian descent have just been cast in the sequel to 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which will follow Logan's adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Yun Lee (Hawaii Five-O) will play the villainous Japanese mutant Silver Samurai, who is able to generate energy, usually channeling it through his katana sword.

Also, Brian Tee (Grimm, Burn Notice, Grey's Anatomy) will play Noburo Mori, a corrupt minister of justice who is set to marry Wolverine's love interest, Mariko Yashida.

Meanwhile, several sites, including Coming Soon, are reporting that Hiroyuki Sanada (Lost) will play Shingen, Tao Okamoto will star as Mariko, Rila Fukushima is cast as the assassin Yukio, and Hal Yamanouchi (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) will play Yashida.

Production is slated to begin in Australia in August and the film is set to be released on July 26, 2013.

Alas, this installation doesn't look like it's set to explore Wolverine's Canadian roots in depth so fans of the Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight will unfortunately have to wait yet again. (Sigh.)

But with all these villainous Japanese characters,will there be any heroic ones? Is it possible that the Japanese superhero Sunfire could somehow make an appearance?

Keep your claws crossed, true believers.

You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at twitter.com/cinecraig. You can also follow Straight Movies on Twitter at www.twitter.com/straightmovies.