Lake Macquarie got a closer look on the set of ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine,’ which we also saw last week. These shots are taken on Blacksmiths Beach in Australia.

This ‘X-Men’ prequel won’t be directed by Bryan Singer, who did the first two ‘X-Men’ movies, but by Gavin Hood, who directed last year’s ‘Rendition.’ Could be mediocre/good?

‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ is a prequel to the ‘X-Men’ movies, set 17 years before the first ‘X-Men’ by Bryan Singer. The film is currently being shot at Blacksmiths Beach, Newcastle, Australia.

Hugh Jackman is producing the movie with his production company Seed Productions. He’s rumored to be paid $20 million to play Wolverine yet again.

The Marvel character is currently set to jump theaters May 1, 2009.

One year after ‘Valkyrie’ began production, Tom Cruise is back in the ring to shoot the final three scenes of the movie. And while it has mostly been gloom and doom for the new United Artists movie, the people that saw director Bryan ‘X-Men’ Singer’s new movie claim it is actually worth your while. “Bryan Singer is back in form,” one said.

Cruise won’t be shooting in Germany this time, but in North Africa. Cheap labor? I don’t know. But I’d understand why they wouldn’t want to go back to Germany.

It will be interesting to see how the movie does after all the negative press and Tom Cruise and United Artists’ latest flop ‘Lions for Lambs.’ Not to mention the budget, which is now rumored to top $100 million. And will Weinstein Co. release that other ‘Valkyrie’ in February 2009 too?