Comic book summer is upon us, and that means more blockbusters in the making. Walt Disney (DIS +7.60%) already has one in Iron Man 3. Will The Wolverine, due July 26 from News Corp.'s (NWSA +0.00%) 21st Century Fox, cash in, too?
We have little to go on so far. The U.S. trailer depicts a confusing mix of action and drama while teasing a legendary comics storyline in which the X-Man remakes himself during a sojourn to Japan. The character would go on to sell millions of comics in the decades following, says Tim Beyers of Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova.
On screen, actor Hugh Jackman plays Wolverine with the same gusto Robert Downey Jr. brings to the role of Tony Stark and Iron Man. But at the box office, there's no comparison: X-Men Origins: Wolverine generated just $373 million worldwide in its 2009 debut versus $585 million for Iron Man the year prior. Premium showings could pull The Wolverine above that mark, and enrich News Corp. shareholders, but only if the story holds up. Right now, Tim says, there's no way to tell if it will.
Who's your favorite comic book-protagonist actor: Downey Jr. or Jackman? Why? Please watch the video to get Tim's full take, and then tell us what you expect from the Wolverine and whether you'd be a buyer of News Corp. at current levels.
