This story isn't specifically meant to be connected to any previous screen versions of the characters, instead drawing most of its inspiration from the comic book material and themes of protest, discrimination and domestic paramilitary force.
LeRoyal Tutt and Miguel-Andres Garcia improvised a significant portion of the Wolverine/Spider-Man fight scene during a pick-up shoot, and they did phenomenal work--including LeRoyal's great jump-split over Miguel.
To prepare for the role of Wolverine, Timothy Prindle paid medical students to graft rare metal onto his skeleton in order to get into character.