Back in February, a report surfaced claiming 20th Century Fox would begin production on the highly-anticipated Wolverine 3 starting April 25, with shooting slated to take place in New Orleans and Mexico. That date has passed, and we never got any official confirmation from the studio that filming had started in those locations. Although, the production has been adding new cast members, such as Boyd Holbrook as the main villain, along with Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant and Eriq La Salle in unspecified roles. Today we have confirmation from producer Simon Kinberg that filming has already begun, and that the movie will be R-rated.

Ever since the blockbuster success of 20th Century Fox's Deadpool, which has earned a whopping $761.9 million worldwide, there have been rumors that several superhero movies will be going the R-rated route. Wolverine 3 has certainly been one of those projects, which is also rumored to be adapted from the iconic Old Man Logan comic book story line, where Logan (Hugh Jackman) loses his mutant powers and starts to age. Collider caught up with producer Simon Kinberg, who confirmed the R rating, although he wouldn't specifically say if Patrick Stewart has joined the cast.

"It's a very radical, bold, different Wolverine than you've ever seen in any of these movies. I'm not sure what I'm allowed to say about that (Patrick Stewart's casting). I will agree with you that Patrick Stewart was rumored to be a part of that film. It takes place in the future, and as you and others have reported, it is an R-rated movie. It's violent, it's kind of like a western in its tone. It's just a very cool, different film."

Simon Kinberg revealed last month that Wolverine 3 will be set in the future, but how far into the future we aren't certain. There have been rumors that Patrick Stewart's Professor X will essentially replace the Marvel character Hawkeye in this adaptation of the Old Man Logan comics, since that character was an important part of the comic book story. Still, the Old Man Logan arc has not yet been confirmed, nor has an official title for Wolverine 3. There have been rumors that the fan-favorite mutant X-23 will have a presence, but that hasn't been confirmed either.

James Mangold, who directed 2013's The Wolverine, is returning to direct, working from a script by David James Kelly. The studio has set a March 3, 2017 release date for Wolverine 3, putting it up against the Lionsgate drama The Shack. Now that we know for certain production has started on Wolverine 3, hopefully we'll get to see some photos and videos from the set, so stay tuned.