Marvel Studios may be preparing to go against Ryan Reynolds’ Wolverine promise to fans—that Hugh Jackman would return as Logan only one more time—according to recent developments surrounding upcoming MCU projects. This shift comes after the box office success of Deadpool & Wolverine and the evolving landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, possibly extending Jackman’s presence well beyond the initially promised single appearance, a move that brings new attention to the Ryan Reynolds Wolverine promise.
Marvel Studios Faces a Change in Wolverine’s Future
After Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, and with it the X-Men and Fantastic Four rights, concrete news on Deadpool 3 was initially scarce as Marvel Studios worked to craft an appropriate storyline. That status changed in September 2022 when Ryan Reynolds officially revealed that Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine would be teaming up with his own Wade Wilson character for a long-awaited MCU event. As part of this announcement, Reynolds directly addressed Jackman with,
“Hey Hugh, you wanna play Wolverine one more time?”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor. However, it now appears that Marvel intends to expand Jackman’s role further than promised.
Insider information indicates Marvel Studios is making efforts to keep Jackman in several key future projects. For example, reports suggest his character James Howlett, known to many as Logan, may appear in Avengers: Doomsday, with a release date set for December 18, 2026. Additional claims from scooper Daniel Richtman state that Jackman’s Wolverine could hold a significant role in Avengers: Secret Wars, fighting alongside Reynolds’ Deadpool, well-known Spider-Men portrayed by Tobey Maguire and Tom Holland, and other famous Marvel characters.
The momentum does not seem to be slowing. Marvel Studios allegedly has plans for Jackman’s Wolverine beyond Secret Wars, and even into Phase 7 of the MCU, potentially including a new Wolverine-centered film led by the same actor who became iconic for the role under Fox’s X-Men franchise. Marvel is also reportedly interested in bringing back the irreverent duo for another feature—likely Deadpool 4—after the gigantic commercial success of Deadpool & Wolverine.
Recasting Wolverine Remains Under Discussion
With Jackman’s comment about playing Wolverine “till he’s 90” coming eerily close to reality, speculation has swirled around who could step into the mutant’s shoes someday. Longtime fans have suggested actors such as Taron Egerton and Jeremy Allen White as top contenders, though Marvel has yet to make a definitive move to recast the character despite teasing a possible replacement when Henry Cavill made a brief cameo as Cavillrine in Deadpool & Wolverine. Any crossover with the newest version of the X-Men is not imminent, as Marvel Studios seems poised to introduce a different central character in its upcoming X-Men reboot, with Logan on the sidelines for now.
While Reynolds’ promise appeared entirely genuine at the time it was made, the unexpected box office triumph of Deadpool & Wolverine and Marvel’s growing ambitions for its interconnected franchise have influenced the studio’s strategy. Financial and fan-service incentives now seem to outweigh the desire to honor the original pledge of a single final appearance. As a result, the Ryan Reynolds Wolverine promise has shifted under the pressures of commercial success and evolving creative direction.
Jackman’s original portrayal of Wolverine under 20th Century Fox spanned 17 years, culminating in the film Logan, where the character’s journey ended on a conclusive note. Many feared that the latest multiverse storylines could undermine that ending, but by introducing a “variant” Wolverine, Marvel Studios managed to honor the past while setting up potential new stories featuring Jackman in the role.
Impact on the Future of the X-Men and the MCU
Jackman’s possible extended stay in the MCU would provide opportunities for interactions with both established and fan-favorite characters, fulfilling long-held fan desires to see Wolverine alongside the likes of Spider-Man and Deadpool, portrayed by figures such as Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Ryan Reynolds. However, persistent reliance on Jackman may create challenges for the franchise’s long-term evolution, particularly as Marvel approaches the post-Secret Wars era, where recasting or refreshing the character may become increasingly necessary for sustained growth.
Ultimately, while Marvel’s decisions are driven by both creative motives and financial realities, the company’s shifting stance on the Ryan Reynolds Wolverine promise could shape not only Wolverine’s fate in the MCU but also the broader approach to character continuity and legacy recasting across Marvel Studios’ future projects.
BIG Spider-Man and Avengers scoops in the link 👀🚨🚨https://t.co/c6yM1OFExs
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) December 26, 2025
