Hugh Jackman’sWolverinecan still be used in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, but after the latest X-Men movie update, I don’t believe it will be in the reboot of the mutant franchise. If there is one character who has becomethe face of the X-Men in live-action, it is Jackman. After debuting in 2000, Jackman has ledseveral X-Men movies.
That includes aWolverine movie trilogy, which featured the first meeting between Wolverine and Wade Wilson onscreen. Thankfully, one of the MCU’s best movies had a better fate in mind for those characters. After the controversialX-Men Origins: Wolverinedestroyed Ryan Reynolds' character,comics-accurate versions of Deadpool and Jackman’s Wolverine finally teamed up 15 years laterin their MCU debut.
Deadpool & Wolverineis the MCU’s first R-rated movie, breaking multiple records for the franchise. The Marvel film is nowthe highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time with $1.3 billion(viaBox Office Mojo). Based on the movie’s success, Jackman’s return infuture MCU moviesseemed like a safe bet. However, a new update makes his Wolverine future more complicated.
Deadpool & Wolverine Left The Door Open For Hugh Jackman’s MCU Return
Deadpool And Wolverine Were Last Seen Together In The MCU
Deadpool & Wolverineplayed with the fans' emotions. The movie pretended that Jackman’s Wolverine and Reynolds' Deadpool would sacrifice their lives to stop Cassandra Nova. However, thanks to the two mutants' incredibly effective healing factors, the MCU heroes did not die. Interestingly,Deadpool & Wolverinealso did not have them join the MCU’s main Earth, even though that was teased.
Early in the film, Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool tried to join the Avengers, but he was turned down by Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan. At the end ofDeadpool & Wolverine,the heroes were back in Wade Wilson’s universe, enjoying the company of Deadpool’s friends at a dinner in his apartment. Deadpool and Wolverine were together, but not in the MCU.
Given how Reynolds' Deadpool was always going to come back for more in the MCU, the fact that Jackman’s Wolverine was last seen still with him left the door open for the character to come back. While the duo werenot part ofAvengers: Doomsday’s announced cast— Channing Tatum’s Gambit fromDeadpool & Wolverinewas — more actors are being kept secret.
Kevin Feige’s Latest MCU X-Men Movie Reveal Seems To Rule Out Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
While I was excited about Hugh Jackman’s MCU future afterDeadpool & Wolverine, with the actor possibly sticking around for the X-Men reboot, the hopes of seeing that happen have since dwindled. That is due to the MCU X-Men movie’s latest update. First, after months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed thatThunderbolts*director Jake Schreier will helm the project.
That confirmation came during a conversation with journalists in which Marvel Studios PresidentKevin Feige clarified many details about the MCU’s future. Regarding the MCU X-Men movie that will be released after the Multiverse Saga concludes withAvengers: Secret Warsin 2027,Feige revealed it will be a “very youth-oriented, focused and cast movie.“That makes Jackman’s Wolverine appearance unlikely.
Uncanny X-Men Wolverine
Classic Brown/Yellow Suit Wolverine Fighting The Hulk
Deadpool & Wolverinejoked about how Jackman could keep playing Wolverine until he was 90. While the actor could realistically continue as Logan for the next decade,at 56, Hugh Jackman does not fit Marvel’s decision to go for a younger cast for its X-Men reboot. Feige’s comments seem to point at a different plan if Wolverine were to appear.
Why Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Not Being In The MCU X-Men Movie Makes Sense
Marvel Studios Have Already Introduced The Perfect Replacement For Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
While I would love to see Jackman stay in the MCU after the Multiverse Saga and get a solid decade of team-ups with the new X-Men, the Avengers, and more heroes, I understand if that is not Marvel’s plan. After the final Fox X-Men movies disappointed,it makes more sense for the MCU to go for a full reboot.
Keeping Jackman, a Fox X-Men actor, and recasting all the roles around him would feel off.
Jackman’s Wolverine might be one of the most beloved live-action heroes in superhero movie history. However, if Marvel were to add him to the MCU X-Men reboot, it would lead tothe baggage of the Fox X-Men movies being forever linked to the new franchise. Keeping Jackman, a Fox X-Men actor, and recasting all the roles around him would feel off.
Besides,Deadpool & Wolverineset up the perfect way for the MCU to not even have to use Logan in Marvel’s first X-Men movie. That is due to how the R-rated movie brought back Dafne Keen’s X-23. With the Laura actress being only 20,X-23 could stay on in the MCU for the next two decades, following in Jackman’s footsteps.
I’m Still Convinced Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Will Return In The MCU
The Multiverse Saga Still Has Some Time Left
Based on Kevin Feige’s new MCU X-Men update, I don’t believe Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine will be in it. Either Marvel will use Dafne Keen’s X-23, who was also last seen with Jackman and Ryan Reynolds' Marvel heroes inDeadpool & Wolverine, orthe studio will cast a new actor as Logan. However, that does not mean Jackman is done at Marvel.
During the same roundtable with members of the press, Feige also talked about Reynolds and Jackman’s MCU future. Feige revealed that Marvel is keeping in touch with Reynolds about Deadpool’s future, alsoteasing that Jackman will keep “doing it till he’s 90.“Previously, it was reported thatReynolds was writing a Deadpool and X-Men crossover movie.
Jackman’s Wolverine return would be fitting for the project, which could also include characters like Cable, Domino, Colossus, Gambit, X-23, and more from the Deadpool franchise. There is also the chance that Jackman’s Wolverine could be in at least one, if not both, of theMCU’s upcoming Avengers movies. While seemingly not in the X-Men movie, Jackman’sWolverineshould return.
