Long before the MCU became the powerhouse it is today, the X-Men were doing just fine under the Fox umbrella, churning out pretty good X-Men movies for nearly two decades. The most popular mutant from Fox’s run with the supergroup was likely Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine.
While many fans have begged Jackman on social media to return to the role, the amazing Aussie is adamant that he has hung up the claws for good. While there is still hope for Jackman to return in a multiversal capacity, there are a handful of Hollywood heavy hitters that could potentially replace Jackman in the main MCU timeline.
10 Bring Back Jackman: He Has Expressed Interest In Interacting With Some MCU Characters
In the past, Jackman has suggested that he would have liked to have seen interactions between Wolverine and certain MCU characters, but that was before they started dropping like flies in Infinity War. Jackman specifically mentioned Iron Man in one instance, but unless he returns as an A.I. or flashback it appears that ship has sailed.
Additionally, with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool becoming MCU canon and the history between Reynolds and Jackman both professionally and personally, fans have been begging for a Deadpool and Wolverine movie. Reynolds has reportedly tried getting Jackman to join him in Deadpool 3 to form a buddy-cop style duo, but Jackman apparently stood his ground on being finished with the character.
9 Potential Replacement: Jack Black Is One Of Several Unorthodox Choices That Actually Make A Lot Of Sense To The Character’s Traditional Comic Appearance
At first thought, no one in their right mind would cast Jack Black as the Wolverine. However, a photoshop of Black in the role made the rounds online, and it caused some to have second thoughts. While it is obviously Black’s head on Jackman’s body, with a few tweaks to the hair and beard he would make a convincing Wolverine. A buff Black would also be a more comic-accurate version of the character anyway, versus Jackman’s Adonis-like portrayal.
Some of the actors that fans have created similar photos with include Daniel Radcliffe, Scott Eastwood, and even Danny DeVito. Jon Bernthal also looks stunning with a Wolverine visage, though considering it’s heavily rumored his Punisher will be joining the MCU, it’s unlikely they’ll let him do double duty with two incredibly significant characters that are likely to cross paths.
8 Bring Back Jackman: It’s Too Soon To See Anyone Else Pop The Claws
Jackman was stellar as Wolverine and laid the character to rest at the end of Logan back in 2017. While the first Wolverine appearance is still many years away in the MCU, it would be very strange to see another actor in the role even ten years down the line.
Unlike the cases with Bruce Banner and James Rhodes where the new actors arguably portrayed the characters significantly better than the originals, whoever portrays Wolverine next has gargantuan shoes to fill. Jackman was, is, and forever will be, Wolverine to many fans much like RDJ will always be Iron Man.
7 Potential Replacement: The Apparent Fan Favorite Is Tom Hardy
Despite Tom Hardy currently being a spectacular Venom, fans would like to see him take up the claws in the MCU. While the legal issues between Sony and Disney make it wildly unclear whether or not Venom has a place in the MCU, Hardy could very well do double duty.
Hugh Jackman has even endorsed the idea of Hardy portraying the next iteration of the character, though some fans aren’t sold on the idea just yet. Perhaps Disney will buy Sony before Wolverine debuts, making Venom MCU canon and keeping Hardy from the role— or perhaps cutting ties with Venom to allow Hardy to become Logan instead.
6 Bring Back Jackman: He Really Brings The Character To Life
Hugh Jackman is known for being just a really good guy all around and always smiling or laughing, which is a far cry from his persona as Wolverine. Despite his normally cheerful demeanor, he acts like a brooding anti-hero with a tragic history to perfection.
His singing abilities also come into play with the character as his magnificent pipes often allow him to project the guttural sounds and bellowing cries that fans are so used to hearing from Logan (without popping a single blood vessel). Jackman brings an intensity, and sometimes ferocity, to the role that cannot be beaten and only gets better with age.
5 Potential Replacement: Keanu Reeves Could Make A Great Logan
Marvel has reportedly attempted to get Keanu to join the MCU for some time. Despite starting out in goofy comedies and heart-tugging dramas, Reeves has more than proven his chops as a serious action hero thanks to The Matrix, John Wick, et al. Not to mention that he already has comic adaptation experience thanks to Constantine, a movie that wasn’t initially well received but has since been reappraised by many as a cult classic.
He has plenty of experience with action films and dark themes so he could easily tap into something that fans have yet to see in order to deliver a phenomenal Wolverine. He’s also just a really great guy that almost no one has a bad thing to say about, much like Jackman, so perhaps that could be the key to the character.
4 Bring Back Jackman: Jackman Puts Everything He’s Got Into The Role
When it comes to his job, Jackman seldom leaves anything on the table. He goes all out with everything he has from top to bottom in order to provide the best performance he can. With Wolverine, it was no different, though it was much more physically demanding than any of his other characters.
Jackman took his role as Logan quite seriously, spending hours upon hours at the gym and sticking to a strict diet in order to look as shredded as he did over the course of 18 years. Considering Jackman is now in his 50s, he understandably doesn’t want to have to put his body through so much stress just to bring the character into the MCU.
3 Potential Replacement: The DCEU’s Man Of Steel, Henry Cavill, Could Be The MCU’s Man Of Adamantium
With so many rumors swirling about regarding the uncertainty of Cavill’s tenure as Superman continuing in the DCEU, it seems like the right time for him to jump ship. With his chiseled physique, rugged good looks, and ability to grow some pretty great facial, there is no doubt that Cavill can look the part.
However, it remains to be seen if he can truly walk the walk. Cavill has seen great success with The Witcher series on Netflix, providing him some experience with darker themes and characters which would be necessary to understand when playing a character like Logan.
2 Bring Back Jackman: Hugh Jackman Was Born To Play Wolverine
Hugh Jackman has had an incredibly successful career as an actor on both the screen and the stage, but he will always be remembered as the Wolverine. He played the part so perfectly it’s impossible to imagine any other person as that character on screen.
While Jackman’s most recent stance is that he is truly finished with the character, there is always the possibility of him appearing in a smaller cameo capacity in future multiversal events considering his longstanding friendship with Kevin Feige. Additionally, he could return as a future/alternate version of the new Logan, whenever Marvel finally picks a new actor for the role. However, if they choose to honor Jackman’s tenure as the Wolverine, introducing Daken or X-23 (his children) instead might be a better way to go within the MCU.
1 Potential Replacement: The Breakout Star of Kingsman, Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton got his big break from starring in Kingsman: The Secret Service back in 2014 and since then has starred or co-starred in a number of big-time films. In addition to the Kingsman sequel, he has appeared in Billionaire Boys Club, Robin Hood, and Rocketman showing that he has range and can sing, much like Jackman.
Considering that Egerton is one of the youngest proposed replacements, he could easily portray Wolverine for decades as long as he stayed healthy. As Wolverine is a character that ages at a much slower rate than most everyone else, he will need a young strapping lad to pick up the mantel, and Egerton may very well be that lad.
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