PHOTOS Hugh Jackman as Wolverine or maybe Bigfoot or maybe Yukon Cornelius…

Hugh Jackman on the set of The Wolverine set for a July 26, 2013 release

No, the Discovery Channel isn’t launching a new reality series called Yukon Men — oh wait, they are? Well these photos aren’t from that, they’re from the second day of shooting The Wolverine starring a bushy-faced Hugh Jackman as everyone’s favorite ill-tempered human can opener.

The Wolverine, currently filming in Picton, New South Wales, will follow the adamantium-knuckled superhero to Japan where he will meet up with samurai warrior Kenuichio Harada, otherwise known as the Silver Samurai (played by Will Yun Lee). The mutant Silver Samurai has flip-flopped from villain to hero and back again during his appearances in the comic books, but Variety reports he will be Wolverine’s antagonist in the film.

Hugh Jackman on set of The Wolverine in Picton, New South Wales

Though the script has been closely guarded and still remains a mystery, Wikipedia sums up the Silver Samurai’s overlap with Wolverine this way, which should provide some clue as to what we can expect:

The Wolverine villain Kenuichio Harada Silver Samurai comic book imageKenuichio Harada is the illegitimate son of Shingen Yashida. He is a Japanese mutant with the power to charge almost anything, most notably his katana, with mutant energy (described as a tachyon field) which enables it to slice through any known substance excluding adamantium. He also sports a suit based on traditional samurai armor. It is made of a silver metal, hence his name.

Harada was once the bodyguard for the international terrorist known as the Viper and was subsequently an occasional mercenary. Alongside the Viper, he attempted a theft of cavourite crystal, and battled the New Mutants. Alongside the Viper, he battled the X-Men and Yukio. He attempted to possess the Black Blade, and battled Wolverine, Lindsay McCabe, and O’Donnell. He rescued Wolverine and a depowered Jessica Drew from cultists.

He became the Oyabun (leader) of Clan Yashida after his half-sister Mariko Yashida’s death. He attempted to pay off his clan’s debts to the Yakuza and restore its honor. Though once one of Wolverine’s greatest enemies, he had apparently impressed Wolverine so greatly that Wolverine entrusted him with the care of his adopted daughter, Amiko Kobayashi.

The Samurai even once helped Wolverine destroy the monster known as “Doombringer”, and later helped Logan rescue Amiko and Yukio from their kidnappers. During his time as hero, the Silver Samurai became the leader of the first Japanese superhero team, Big Hero 6.

Silver Samurai was brainwashed by the mutant Blindspot into forgetting his time as a hero, believing his redemption was just a result of Professor X’s brainwashing. As a result, he had returned to his previous criminal activities. However, it now seems that Harada is currently operating as the chief security officer for the Prime Minister of Japan.

The Wolverine is directed by James Mangold and is set for a July 26, 2013 release in the United States.

Photos: Splash News