Matthew Libatique Will Shoot 'Wolverine 2' For Darren Aronofsky

Take this post as a confirmation of something many of us have hoped, but we know now that cinematographer Matthew Libatique will shoot Wolverine 2 for director Darren Aronofsky.

The two have worked together on all of the director's features except for The Wrestler. That change-up was deliberate — Darren Aronofsky hired Maryse Alberti in order to get a very specific feel for the film, and the director has said that going back to Mr. Libatique was "a huge decision."

Drew from HitFix ran into Matthew Libatique at the afterparty for AFI's Black Swan screening, and while he didn't tell Drew directly that he would be shooting Wolverine 2, Libatique said as much to another person nearby.

(Yeah, I know — overheard info can be thin, but I trust Drew and in this case we'll take it.)

Matthew Libatique has proven to be an interesting, versatile cinematographer. He was instrumental in helping create the dramatic, contrasty look of Pi and pushed the visual side of Darren Aronofsky's films forward in Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain.

I'd be very curious to know how deep the differences in intended approach to The Wrestler might have gone, but hearing that he and Darren Aronofsky will work together again is very reassuring. And not just in the sense that it's good to see a partnership continue. Mr. Libatique has shot both Iron Man films and did great work for Jon Favreau on Cowboys & Aliens as well. Could be invaluable to have him around to bridge the experience of shooting a big studio film with the sensibility of Aronofsky.