The cast of 20th Century Fox's superhero drama "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has expanded to include Taylor Kitsch, will.i.am and Ryan Reynolds.

Also joining the Marvel adaptation are Danny Huston, Lynn Collins and the previously reported Liev Schreiber.

Gavin Hood ("Rendition") is directing Hugh Jackman in the project, which looks at the early days of the surly, fast-healing, claw-sporting mutant. Production is already underway with a May 1, 2009 release date in the cards.

Echoing a slew of online reports, Variety says that Kitsch (Tim Riggins on NBC's "Friday Night Lights") will play Gambit, a bo-wielding Cajun with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy and an on-and-off romance with Rogue.

Reynolds ("Definitely Maybe") will play Deadpool, an assassin and self-healer. It's expected to only be a cameo, but if the character proves popular, he could be the centerpiece for a future film.

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am will play teleporting mutant Wraith.

Schreiber is attached as Victor Creed, who doubles as Wolverine's nemesis Sabretooth, with Danny Huston as William Stryker, the mutant-hater played by Brian Cox in a previous "X-Men" film. Collins ("The Merchant of Venice") will play Silver Fox, Wolverine's lover.