Daredevil: Born Again is reportedly undergoing a creative overhaul that has seen the series change direction. As per new reports, Daredevil: Born Again is being retooled to have more connections with the previous iteration of the series that was produced for Netflix. However, as the series incorporates Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin in the greater MCU, the changes also hint at a potential X-Men connection.
The creative changes to Daredevil: Born Again could set up the MCU’s replacement for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. While Jackman will reprise his iconic role through the multiverse in Deadpool 3, his long-term future as the character is uncertain. Thus, Daredevil: Born Again could provide the perfect opportunity to introduce Hugh Jackman’s MCU replacement, and here are five actors who could effectively play the role.
How Daredevil: Born Again Could Set Up MCU’s Wolverine
Daredevil: Born Again will reportedly bring back Wilson Bethel as Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter. Introduced in Daredevil season 3, Dex is manipulated by Fisk and masquerades as the fake Daredevil before having his back broken during a fight with the titular hero.
In the finale, Dex undergoes an operation to regain his bodily movements after his fight with Daredevil left him paralyzed. In the comics, Dex goes through a similar transformation with the use of Adamantium, which makes him physically stronger. Doctor Kenji Oyama is closely associated with the Adamantium experiments that transformed Logan into Weapon-X.
In the series, the metal is described as cogmium steel. However, that metal could easily be the precursor to adamantium, which is most closely associated with Wolverine. The character operating on Dex in the season 3 finale is credited as Dr. O, implying Oyama exists in the MCU.
Thus, if Daredevil: Born Again continues Dex’s story from where the original series left off, we could see the first proper mention of adamantium in the MCU, leading to Wolverine’s MCU debut. Hugh Jackman’s MCU replacement as Wolverine has been a topic of intense debate and several actors have been fan-cast in the role. Here are our top five picks to play the MCU’s Wolverine, with a focus on comic book accuracy.
5. Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery is best known for playing Billy Hargrove in the Netflix series Stranger Things. He also gained some recognition for playing Jason Scott / Red Ranger in 2017’s Power Rangers. Both roles indicate Montgomery possesses the ability to portray the apathy required for a character like Wolverine while having underlying heroic traits. Moreover, Montgomery taking over the role would ensure that an Australian actor continues Jackman’s legacy.
4. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe is one of the most popular fan castings for MCU’s Wolverine. The actor has proven himself capable of playing diverse roles through movies such as Jungle, Guns Akimbo, and The Lost City. There are enough fanmade posters that will convince you that Radcliffe certainly looks the part and his acting talents are not questioned either. However, whether Radcliffe has distinguished himself enough from his time as Harry Potter will determine his potential as Wolverine.
3. Taron Egerton
If there is another actor fans clamor to see adorn the Wolverine cowl, it is probably Taron Egerton. The Kingsman star is known for his combination of humorous and dramatic performances, both an essential component for playing Wolverine. At the same time, Egerton is a capable action star and his performance in Rocketman earned him notoriety as a serious actor. Hence, it will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios decides to go in his direction as Jackman’s replacement.
2. Phil Dunster
Phil Dunster might easily be the dark horse in the race for playing MCU’s Wolverine, but his acting chops cannot be questioned. His performance as the bad boy star player Jamie Tartt in the Apple TV+ sports series Ted Lasso is exactly the kind of energy Wolverine carries in the comics. Moreover, Dunster appeared in the British sci-fi series Humans, playing Tristan, a character with Mutant-like abilities. Dunster’s Ted Lasso co-star Brett Goldstein has already joined the MCU as Hercules, so he can’t be far behind.
1. Jared Keeso
Jared Keeso rose to prominence with his performance as Wayne and Shoresy in Letterkenny. Although Keeso is known more for his comedy, he has demonstrated emotional depth and an uncanny acting range by portraying the same characters for close to a decade. The role of Wolverine needs this kind of commitment and longevity. Moreover, Keeso’s Canadian roots would also ensure a comic book accurate casting of Wolverine. However, Keeso’s age might be the only hurdle in him nabbing the role as the actor is already 39.
