THE WOLVERINE Pursuing Svetlana Khodchenkova for the Role of Viper

Directed by James Mangold and featuring Jackman reprising the popular character on film for the sixth time, The Wolverine takes the feral mutant's story overseas in an adaptation of Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's popular comic book arc.

Set to take place mostly in Japan, the story follows Logan as he falls in love with a betrothed woman. The affair ignites a battle and Logan ends up facing off against her crime family, including her father -- the Silver Samurai.

Recent rumors pegged Jessical Biel as being the studios' top choice for the part of Viper, a deadly Eastern European assassin who at one point blackmails Wolverine into marrying her. Negotiations between the two have since broken down, and it is now being reported that Russian actress and model Svetlana Khodchenkova (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) may take the role.

The Wolverine will be directed by James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma) off a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie and Mark Bomback. Hugh Jackman stars once again as the title character. Will Yun Lee will play Kenuichio Harada, known to comic book readers as the Silver Samurai. Hiroyuki Sanada will play Shingen Yashida (head of the Yakuza crime family), Hal Yamanouchi will play Yashida, Tao Okamoto will play Mariko Yashida (Shingen's half-sister and one of Logan's few friends within the Yakuza) and Rila Fukushima will play Yukio (a rogue samurai).

20th Century Fox has scheduled the film to hit theaters on July 26th, 2013.