James Mangold and Hugh Jackman have always sold LOGAN as a very different kind of X-MEN film. The R-rating not only serves the violence of the movie, but also the tone. The story takes place in the near future, but this isn't your DAYS OF FUTURE PAST – this story exists in a very real world where mutants are seemingly fading away, with the remainders left to try and find their own little place in the world. You can see that the sad state of affairs for Wolverine (or James Howlett, if you will), in the promotional clip below.
I'd say that this clip does more in its minute than most X-Men films have been able to do in the entirety of their running time. It's a grim affair for Logan, but I think James Mangold has really nailed a great tone for Wolverine's last hurrah. I may still be in denial about that part, but at least we have one more film of his to look forward to in a month's time!
LOGAN opens in theaters on March 3, 2017.