First Photo of Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine Released

Hugh Jackman is trading his Broadway maracas and showgirls for a pretty imposing set of claws in this image, the first photo of the stage and screen favorite in his upcoming film The Wolverine. The theater community is well-aware of Jackman’s legendary warmth, kindness, and killer high-kicks, but as you can see here, this particular character (one that the actor has played for quite a while) isn’t someone you’d want to cross in a dark alley!

James Mangold directs the film, a sequel to 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which will be released on July 26, 2013. In it, Jackman’s Logan travels to Japan to study with a Samurai warrior.

The cast also includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, and Svetlana Khodchenkova.