One of the ongoing sentiments surrounding the leak of X-Men Origins: Wolverine was "Serves Fox and Tom Rothman right! Payback's a bitch!" No matter how you feel about Fox and Rothman, the leak wasn't what you should wish on anyone. Wolverine represents a lot of effort by a lot of people who aren't responsible for the sins of the Fox father.

One person who's come out swinging in defense of Rothman is the man you might least expect: Wolverine's director, Gavin Hood. The Internet has been rife with rumors of riproaring fights, intervention by Richard Donner, and reshoots. In a video interview with THR's Risky Business, Hood shot back at the rumors:

"I am very fond of Tom [Rothman]. When we're in a room debating, he's a very forceful personality, I'm a fairly forceful personality ... we didn't always agree. We certainly never yelled at each other. Some of these fan sites have really been upsetting in that way. I have never had a stand-up argument with Tom Rothman. Never, ever, and nor has Tom with me, ever, and that is a fact. It's quite upsetting to see how these things sort of spiral. Did we discuss and debate, what stylistically I was going to bring to the movie, and his expectations, and my [expectations]? Of course, of course you do that, and I hope it makes the movie better. Nobody's trying to screw up the movie. I mean, there's this stupid notion out there that Tom Rothman wants to ruin the franchise. What? That's stupid ... This is a huge thing for the studio. Of course he doesn't want to ruin the franchise. Is he going to put a gun to his own head? He has a huge amount riding on this movie, as do I. There were disagreements, but I think they were handled with dignity and sincerity."

This comes as Rothman -- on the other side of the battlefield -- sat down with Entertainment Weekly to explain that the version of Wolverine that leaked was not in any way the final cut of the film. He says, "The version that went out is unfinished. It's about 10 minutes shorter, doesn't have key scenes, it wasn't edited, and none of the effects shots were in any remotely final form. It's a complete misrepresentation of the film and is deeply unfair to the people who have worked on it for years."

Of course, you could blow this all off as studio-sponsored talk (after all, they're obviously in combat mode trying desperately to save this film's box office take) -- but going strictly off the personality he displays in the video, Hood isn't the type of man to back down from a fight. I'm picturing this man on a set having a courteous debate with Rothman, and imagining that it looks like a Rocky brawl to outsiders. It certainly adds a new level to the speculation ... which Hood makes me feel guilty for even remarking on.

Whatever the true, behind-the-scenes story, whatever the final film is like, Hood and Hugh Jackman are both willing to put themselves on the line for it. It's been easy for a lot of directors and stars to put the bomb blame on Fox, but these are two men who won't. They're stepping up as producer and director, and biting the bullet. It's quite admirable -- and it's a reason to see it on May 1, instead of watching that free copy you might have snagged.*

*For those that have watched it, please don't blab about it in the comments for our readers and for your humble author whose eyes remain innocent