6. Patch
Madripoor is a fictional island located in Southeast Asia in the Marvel, and a place which Wolverine has called home on more than one occasion. Full of thugs and criminals, Logan donned an eye patch and went by the moniker of “Patch” for a while in order to remain undercover (as the X-Men were at that time attempting to keep their recent resurrection under wraps). There are a number of stories that Fox could pick and choose from for a movie based on Wolverine’s time in Madripoor, but his hunt for the Muramasa Blade (a blade that all who wielded were possessed by its demonic essence, except for the one warrior destined to be it’s true master) could be a great start, especially as it links up to his time in Japan.
Although it’s not a particular arc I’m thinking of per se, in the comics Wolverine has been placed as having participated in WWII. This could be a huge opportunity for something along the lines of “Inglorious Basterds” starring Wolverine, Nazi slayer.
Frame it within a modern-day flashback/breakthrough moment, that could possibly even be brought about as fallout of the Days Of Future Past story line. As his memory reasserts itself, perhaps introduce him as WWII army volunteer (or conscript? – for dirty dozen feel) James Howlett, aware of his powers but before the amnesia and the weapon x program.
Also it could touch upon the comic that tells his childhood origins, though the meat of the story should be of his travails in the war and as an early mutant.
The twist being that it was not the weapon x program that ‘first’ took his memory of who he was – but perhaps a traumatic injury caused by a heroic wartime sacrifice. (obviously the climax of the film) Then he could wake in the present, more whole than he has been in a long time, and ride off into the sunset. I’d like to see Jackman act out that catharsis of his character.
I’ve got to admit I’m starting to want to write this… Not that I have wildly unrealistic expectations of getting a call from Fox but I’d wager I could fashion an interesting fanfic from it. It’s a shame they wouldn’t be able to cross him over with Cap (unless we could sic Puppet Master on the studios!), but there could be an opportunity to portray Wolverine within a version of the Axis-fighting Invaders. Even scratching Cap from the roster, they could consist of the (original android) Human Torch, Wolverine, Namor, Union Jack, and possibly Spitfire.