Hugh Jackman will return to the screen as Wolverine in the upcoming third installment of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool film, ending what seemingly his retirement after 2017’s Logan. With the Australian actor’s possible last shot at playing the clawed mutant, the talk of his successor has already been brewing among the community.
In recent years, many actors were mentioned as prospects for the next version of Wolverine, though the X-Men star once revealed his own choice for the part.
Hugh Jackman Spills The Tea On Who Would Have Been Young Wolverine
During a Q&A conversation via Yahoo! Movies, actor Hugh Jackman said the person that comes to his mind who would have been a great choice for young Wolverine was the late Heath Ledger, also known for his role as Joker.
“Originally, when I played it [first], when he was alive, God rest his soul, I thought Heath Ledger could be a good young version of [Wolverine].”
Jackman admitted he would feel uncomfortable once he sees someone else play the part he alone owned for two decades now.
“It would be a little weird [seeing someone else as Wolverine]. I know it’s going to happen.”
Even though he’s aware that he’s going to pass the baton one day to someone younger, Jackman feels quite territorial about Wolverine. He explained via Belfast Telegraph:
“Wolverine is like Bond. These roles are greater than I am as an actor. It will always live on and outlive me. It’ll be passed on, and I’ll be in the old people’s home, showing my old movies and telling anyone who will listen that I was much better than whoever is playing it now.”
Interestingly, the Bad Education star revealed in the past that he never gets tired of the role. Ever since the character’s debut in 2000’s X-Men, Jackman has been the face of the indestructible mutant. Now, after seven long years, he will return to the big screen alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.
Hugh Jackman On Why He Returned For Deadpool 3
After his exit in 2017’s Logan, Hugh Jackman for sure hung up his claws and was done with playing Wolverine. But, because of the fans’ demand to bring him back, and with Marvel Studios finally having the opportunity to pair him up with Deadpool, the actor could not resist the temptation to come back. He told The Guardian:
“When people would ask me [to reprise the role] – including Ryan, every five seconds – I was like: I’m done. I just wanted to do it, and I felt it in my gut. I get to punch the s—t out of Ryan Reynolds every day.”
The events in Logan were very important for Jackman as they gave a fitting conclusion to the narrative of the brooding mutant. In his interview with SiriusXM, the actor explained how he was revived in Deadpool 3:
“It’s all because of this device they have in the Marvel world of moving around timelines. Now we can go back because, you know, it’s science. So, I don’t have to screw with the Logan timeline, which was important to me. And I think probably to the fans too.”
Jackman will return as Wolverine alongside Reynolds’ Deadpool on the big screen this July 26, 2024.
