London-based director Mahmut Akay has released a fan film featuring the popular X-Men superhero, Wolverine. Close Shave is inspired by Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of the character throughout Fox’s X-Men film franchise.
The ten-minute short takes place in a version of the X-Men universe where mutants have been wiped out for the most part. It is described as a character-driven dark comedy that depicts Wolverine in a new light, while exploring themes of identity and prejudice.
Set in a swanky barbershop, the film sees an older Wolverine attempt to start afresh in human society with a new look. But he soon finds himself in trouble when his mutant identity is exposed.
Directed by Mahmut Akay from a script he wrote himself, Close Shave stars Cameron Jack as Wolverine alongside Michael Chase, Tom Cray, Jack Forsyth-Noble, Jacob Meadows, Neizan F. Birchwood and Julia Sawalha.
Judging by the comment section, X-Men fans have been delighted by the short film’s effectiveness. It’s not surprising since Akay is no stranger to filmmaking, even if it is on a small scale. He has written and directed various other short films including Day One, Dominion and Lesson From a Stranger. Day One and Dominion debuted at London’s Sci-Fi Film Festival in 2019 and 2014, respectively.
Created by Roy Thomas, Len Wein and John Romita Sr., Wolverine is one of the most recognizable comic book characters in pop culture. Arguably the most popular of the X-Men, the character made his live-action debut with the help of Hugh Jackman in the 2000 blockbuster hit, X-Men.
Jackman went on to star as the adamantium-enhanced mutant in eleven movies before retiring from the role with Logan in 2017.
