Hugh Jackman has suggested he might not be finished playing Wolverine, sparking new rumors about a potential Hugh Jackman Wolverine return. Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman clarified that, although he once declared his retirement from the character after 2017’s Logan, he has since reconsidered, with his latest return in the 2024 film Deadpool and Wolverine highlighting his ongoing connection to the iconic superhero.
Jackman’s Evolving Stance on Wolverine
After closing out his role as Wolverine with what appeared to be the character’s final chapter in Logan, Jackman surprised audiences by donning the claws again seven years later for Deadpool and Wolverine. He explained the recurring speculation on talk shows:
“Every time you’re on [talk show], you gotta go, ‘Nope, I’m not doing that again.’ But then you keep making another one. And it’s a big big hit. So are you gonna have to do it again?”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
Jackman then admitted,
“Maybe. I am never saying ‘never’ ever again… But I did mean it when I said ‘never’ [the first time], until the day when I changed my mind. But I really did for quite a few years, I meant it.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
What Changed Jackman’s Mind
During press promotion for Deadpool and Wolverine, Jackman described what drew him back. Viewing the original Deadpool reportedly reignited his interest, especially given fans’ persistent desire to see Wolverine and Deadpool together.
“I was like, ‘Those two characters together.’ I knew it. I knew the fans wanted it ever since I put on the claws, people talked about these two. So, that had always been there, but I just knew,”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
Jackman recalled the spontaneity of the decision:
“I rang Ryan [Reynolds]. And I just said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Like, I hadn’t rung my agent, no one. I had to ring my agent and said, ‘Oh, by the way, I have just committed to a movie.’”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
Marvel’s Reaction and the Impact on the Franchise
Not everyone immediately supported Jackman’s comeback. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige shared his hesitations, pointing to the finality of Logan’s ending.
“I said, ‘Let me give you a piece of advice, Hugh. Don’t come back,’”
— Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios
“‘You had the greatest ending in history with ‘Logan.’ That’s not something we should undo.’”
— Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios
Ultimately, Marvel’s multiverse allowed Jackman to take on a new version of Wolverine, rather than revisiting the iteration that concluded in Logan.
Looking Ahead: Could Wolverine Appear Again?
With many former X-Men actors, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden, set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, speculation is mounting about Jackman’s possible involvement. While nothing is confirmed, the door remains open, especially with upcoming Marvel projects like Avengers: Secret Wars.
Fans eager for news about a Hugh Jackman Wolverine return should stay alert, as the actor’s willingness to revisit the role and the Marvel multiverse setup mean another appearance could happen at any time, depending on the right circumstances.
