Hugh Jackman, the actor renowned for his portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, has indicated that he has no immediate plans to step away from the iconic role. This comes amidst speculation about Marvel's upcoming X-Men reboot and the potential for a new actor to embody the character.
Jackman playfully suggested during a PBS interview that he intends to continue playing Wolverine until he reaches 90 years old, jokingly remarking that he would prepare a "little time capsule" for whoever eventually takes over the part. "I'm 57. I'm doing it till I'm 90. So, you know... I'll do a little time capsule for them," he stated.
While Jackman has not officially confirmed his future appearances as the adamantium-clawed superhero, fans widely anticipate his return in upcoming major Marvel Cinematic Universe events such as Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. His previous departure from the role after 2017's Logan, only to return for Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds, has fueled these expectations. The critical and commercial success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which surpassed $1 billion at the box office, has also led to discussions about potential follow-up films, with Reynolds expressing interest in a team-based sequel.
This prolonged involvement of Jackman's Wolverine raises questions about the direction of Marvel's X-Men reboot, slated for release after Secret Wars in December 2027. It remains uncertain whether the reboot will feature a Wolverine character at all, potentially to avoid overlapping versions of the hero within the MCU's continuity.
Should Jackman eventually pass the mantle, he offered advice for any potential successor, suggesting that a new portrayal would likely "meld in" with his own interpretation. However, he emphasized his belief that actors should be given the freedom to interpret the character as they see fit. "I'm not going to say anything to whoever plays him," Jackman commented, "'cause no one said anything to me, which I really am thrilled about. And I had not read the comics, so I was just coming to it fresh. And I learned a lot over the years. Of course I've got my own take, but it must be melding in with me in some way. I hope someone just comes in and does whatever the f*** they want and makes it their own."