Rumors and excitement were swirling around the prospect of Daniel Radcliffe sheathing Adamantium claws to possibly become the next on-screen Wolverine, stepping into the formidable boots handsomely filled by Hugh Jackman. As we have seen the latter’s Logan finally don the storied Wolverine costume in Deadpool 3, it has left audiences giddy with anticipation.
With Jackman’s 2017 declaration of hanging up his mutant hat—only to return for a recent stint—fans may be left wondering why Marvel has yet to pass the torch when Radcliffe appears to be a prime candidate. Jackman and Deadpool’s very own Ryan Reynolds have recently tackled this subject head-on in a bout of LADbible’s Agree to Disagree.
And despite Radcliffe’s uncanny resemblance to the X-Men hero, it seems Jackman harbors skepticism about the former capturing the raw essence of Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman’s Doubts: Is Daniel Radcliffe the Right Fit for Wolverine?
The debate continues to rage on amongst Marvel fans as to who will step into the iconic role of Wolverine once Hugh Jackman finally hangs up his claws for good. One name that keeps popping up time and again is none other than Daniel Radcliffe.
But what does Hugh Jackman, the man who has embodied Wolverine for over two decades, think about Radcliffe taking on the role? In a recent episode of LADbible’s Agree to Disagree alongside his Deadpool 3 co-star Ryan Reynolds, Jackman expressed some reservations about the idea.
When asked if Radcliffe could pull off playing Wolverine, Jackman hesitated and started by admitting that he even couldn’t see himself playing a character like Harry Potter. The latter joked about the idea of a middle-aged, ultra-ripped Harry Potter with lots of “chest hair”, hinting at the physical differences between him and Radcliffe’s acclaimed characters:
I definitely couldn’t do Harry Potter. I think that would be really, I mean, I’m good. But, like, a 12-year-old schoolboy is gonna be a struggle. Disturbing. A little. Disturbing… Could get me canceled. …actually leaps to mind. Yes, I do have a lot of chest hair. Lot of chest hair for that. Also, like, seeing it, just, like a middle-aged, ultra-ripped Yes.
While Jackman didn’t outright dismiss the idea of Radcliffe as Wolverine, he did express some doubts about whether the Harry Potter star could truly capture the essence of the fierce and brooding mutant:
And of course he could play… the question was could he play it? I didn’t say he’d play it well.
He pointed out that there is a difference between simply playing a role and playing it well, perhaps suggesting that Radcliffe may have a tough time living up to the high standards set by Jackman’s portrayal of the character.
Daniel Radcliffe’s Response to Wolverine Casting Buzz
For Marvel fans, the idea of anyone other than Hugh Jackman donning the claws of Wolverine is a difficult pill to swallow. After all, the actor has become synonymous with the character, bringing him to life in ways that fans never thought possible. But as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand and evolve, it may be time for a new hero to step up and take on the challenge.
What is Daniel Radcliffe’s opinion on this? The actor, 35, bravely batted away his Wolverine casting rumors, admitting during his interview with GQ that his tongue-in-cheek responses to press tour probes had unintentionally stoked the embers of speculation. With a chuckle, Radcliffe confessed:
It’s purely a press tour rumor; I say something, and then occasionally I get bored of answering that way so I say something different, and that sets it off again. I should just never open my mouth.
Are we really on the brink of seeing him don the mantle of Wolverine, or are these merely deceptive rumors cast by fans and fantasy? When queried by ComicBook, Radcliffe again downplayed the casting tales, drawing a stark contrast between himself and the towering legacy Hugh Jackman has carved as the beloved mutant.
Whether or not Daniel Radcliffe is the right choice to fill Jackman’s shoes remains to be seen. But in Tinseltown, aren’t doors always left ajar for surprises? Who’s to say that Marvel can’t write the next chapter of Logan with a twist no one saw coming?
Deadpool & Wolverine is scheduled to be released on July 26, 2024.
