After his experience making 2013's The Wolverine with Hugh Jackman, director James Mangold was interested in returning to the world of X-Men with Jackman once again. Like Jackman, Mangold was interested in crafting a new film that didn't rely on the gimmick of "would the world survive?"
Wanting the film to be a swan song for the Wolverine character as played by Jackman. Channeling films like Little Miss Sunshine and Unforgiven, as well as the "Old Man Logan" comic book series, Mangold and two other writers began to work on the script for the film.
Work on the script was completed in January 2016; filming began in the United States in May 2016. Everyone involved in the film had decided that the film would be rated R to match its tone and its setting. Filming took place over the course of a couple of months. Mangold, as per usual, directed the material with his usual panache and energy, something which is reflected in the final product.
