Monaghan allies with "Wolverine"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Former "Lord of the Rings" hobbit Dominic Monaghan has joined the cast of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Fox's "X-Men" spinoff starring Hugh Jackman.

"Wolverine," set 17 years before the "X-Men" movies, traces the origins of the popular Marvel Comics mutant superhero also is known as Logan.

Monaghan will play Barnell, a former military ally of Logan with the power to harness energy and electricity. Henney will play Agent Zero, a fellow member of the Weapon X program and an expert tracker with lethal, mutant-enhanced marksman skills.

Gavin Hood ("Rendition") is directing "Wolverine." Fox is releasing the film worldwide May 1, 2009.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter