Deadpool & Wolverine, the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and first to be R-rated, not only brings Ryan Reynolds’ titular Merc with a Mouth into the Disney-owned MCU franchise but also features the return of the iconic Hugh Jackman as James “Logan” Howlett, aka the Wolverine, after a 7-year break. Jackman holds the longest career as a live-action Marvel character, having debuted as Wolverine 24 years ago in 2000’s X-Men. Under the now-defunct 20th Century Fox regime, Jackman appeared as the Marvel hero 9 times across the main X-Men franchise and his own spin-off trilogy. And that’s not including the numerous times he’s referenced in the previous two Deadpool movies through archival footage and fourth-wall-breaking jokes. In support of Deadpool & Wolverine, we sat down with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige to get a better idea of just how much longer Hugh Jackman will be playing Wolverine.
As revealed in the film’s marketing, Hugh Jackman’s titular X-Man in Deadpool & Wolverine is not the same version of the character from director James Mangold’s Logan. Released in 2017, Logan brought Jackman’s story as Wolverine in Fox’s Marvel universe to a definitive end. That version of Logan made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life fighting to protect his younger clone, Laura/X-23 (Dafne Keen). In Deadpool & Wolverine, audiences are introduced to a “variant” of Wolverine from another timeline — one with a more flawed history than the famed Logan from the previous Fox franchise. Marvel Studios has made this possible through the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a bureaucratic organization tasked with preserving the Sacred Timeline that viewers first came to know in Marvel Studios’ Loki on Disney+. The grand schemes of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga have made bringing Hugh Jackman back possible, but is he here to stay?
Kevin Feige Weighs in on Recasting Wolverine
As part of our full Deadpool & Wolverine exclusive interview with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, we asked him about the possibility of another, perhaps younger actor, being cast as Wolverine later down the line in the MCU. The world’s most popular film franchise is currently in the middle of teaching its dedicated fan base that truly anything can happen in the multiverse, and Deadpool & Wolverine is only the latest example of that.
The multiverse could potentially open the door for another Logan variant, this time played by a different actor. And seeing how Marvel Studios is in the early stages of building their own interpretation of the beloved X-Men, this could also be how Hugh Jackman passes the baton to some fresh blood. Surprisingly, Feige quickly assured us that “yes,” another actor is bound to eventually take over the mantle of Wolverine. However, it doesn’t sound like that is happening anytime soon. Read Kevin Feige’s quote below.
Yes. You know, Marvel is celebrating its 85th anniversary later this summer. That’s just the first 85 years, and Disney just celebrated 100 years as well. I think these characters will be around for another 100 years, long after all of us. So, for sure, there will be [eventually another actor as Wolverine]. I think it will be in a very different style and in a different way. I also think if somebody were to attempt to do a Hugh Jackman as Wolverine impression, that would be a pretty big mistake.
Another Actor Playing Wolverine is “Inevitable,” says Kevin Feige
While it is easy to imagine Hugh Jackman’s Logan coming across another Wolverine variant in the multiverse, it is not in Marvel Studios’ current agenda to replace him. You don’t need to assume that or read between the lines… because Kevin Feige goes on to confirm to us that there are no “immediate plans” to introduce a non-Hugh Jackman version of Wolverine in the MCU. Moreover, even though he does think another actor being cast in the role is “inevitable,” it’s looking like Jackman has got the fan-favorite character locked down, at least for the foreseeable future. Read Kevin Feige’s follow-up answer below.
As comic readers know, there have been various and very, very different versions of these characters over the decades. It would be fun to explore different ones someday down the line. Again, we don’t have immediate plans by any means. But in the decades to come, I think it’s inevitable. If that happens, it would have to be a very different and bold reinterpretation of [the character] because no one will be as great as Hugh Jackman at doing his version of Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman is Here to Stay for Now
You could say that Kevin Feige is somewhat coy with these answers, but he still clearly confirms to us that there are no foreseeable plans for a new actor to take over the role of Wolverine in the MCU. So, yes, fans should throw away any theories or assumptions about Hugh Jackman once again retiring the adamantium claws, for now. In the meantime, this information makes way for other exciting MCU theories. Since Kevin Feige has previously stated that the X-Men are, in fact, on the way, could the MCU’s iteration of the team feature Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, but perhaps in a mentor-like role? This has been done before in Marvel comics and television, such as in the underrated Wolverine and the X-Men animated series. In the meantime, MCU fans will have to wait until we get closer to the Multiverse Saga’s conclusion to get solid answers.
Deadpool & Wolverine is all about legacy. Writer-director Shawn Levy (Free Guy, The Adam Project), star-producer Ryan Reynolds, and Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, create an unlikely comeback for both titular heroes. The film’s story reframes their place and purpose not only in the MCU franchise but also in the now-dead Fox universe. For that reason alone, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing either Deadpool or Wolverine as long as the MCU keeps going strong in the coming years. Of course, just like with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, who both made nostalgic returns in Spider-Man: No Way Home, many moviegoers will be anticipating to see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine once more in the upcoming sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. However, much about the next Avengers films remains a mystery. Stay tuned for more on our full exclusive Deadpool & Wolverine interview with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige!
Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26!
Release Date: July 26, 2024.
Directed by Shawn Levy.
Written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, & Shawn Levy.
Based on Marvel Comics.
Produced by Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, & Lauren Shuler Donner.
Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, George Dewey, Wendy Jacobson, Simon Kinberg, Jonathon Komack Martin, Josh Mcaglen, Mary McLaglen, Rhett Reese, & Paul Wernick.
Main Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapičić, Shioli Kutsuna, Randal Reeder, Lewis Tan, Aaron Stanford, Dafne Keen, Wunmi Mosaku, & dog actor Peggy.
Cinematographer: George Richmond.
Composer: Rob Simonsen.
Production Companies: Marvel Studios, Maximum Effort, & 21 Laps Entertainment.
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios.
Runtime: 128 minutes.
Rated R.
