Hugh Jackman is an essential part of Marvel’s big-screen history, so bringing him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe forDeadpool & Wolverineexcited audiences. However, this decision complicates the MCU’s upcoming reboot of theX-Menfranchise. After all,Jackman is not only hugely popular in the role, but he is, as of yet, the only actor to portray the character in a live-action setting.The actor has played Logan in a staggering 10 films total across 24 years. Jackman’s original run as Wolverine was supposed to end in 2017 with the tragicLogan.
However, though he announced his retirement before he saw costar Ryan Reynolds in 2016’sDeadpool, the comedy-superhero hybrid made him want to reprise the role. Fast-forward to Marvel Studios ideatingDeadpool 3, and all of the disparate elements fell into place for Jackman to return.Though all 3Deadpoolfilms were a financial success,Deadpool & Wolverineout-earned the first 2 by a mile.As such, it is hard to separate its overwhelming box-office returns from Jackman’s immense popularity.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Return Was Great For Deadpool
Audiences Were Reminded How Much They Love Hugh’s Wolverine
Aside from making a substantial profit for Marvel Studios, Jackman’s return served his character and his legacy well. Though the film does defile Logan’s grave, it makes the excellent creative decision of making its version of Wolverine a multiversal variant, a Logan who failed to achieve what “our” - Jackman’s original - Logan did with the X-Men. He’s a new iteration of the character, buthe still grapples with the weight of Wolverine’s legacy in Deadpool’s universe and carves out a well-done redemption arc throughout the film.
1 Deadpool & Wolverine Line Has Aged Beautifully Since The Movie’s Release This Summer
Deadpool & Wolverine has many hilarious jokes and meta references, but one punchline has aged perfectly since the film’s summer release.
Moreover,Deadpool & Wolverineas a whole serves as an homage to the early Marvel films, particularly those made by 20th Century Fox.Because of this, Jackman’s inclusion is perfect. Whilecameos from the likes of Blade, Elektra, and Pyro are appreciated, having two Fox-era Marvel protagonists is a fitting extension of this idea. The multiverse is used to explain how these heroes (and villains) can appear in the MCU proper, and it all just works, with Jackman himself being a huge reason why.
A New MCU Wolverine Will Struggle To Compete With Jackman Even More Now
Hugh Jackman Is A Hard Act To Follow
Unfortunately,Jackman reprising the role of Wolverine only makes him a harder act to follow.Even if his story ended withLogan, his impact on the superhero genre is undeniable, and he is inextricably linked from Marvel’s film history as the breakout star of its first successful franchise.Deadpool & Wolverinemakes this more intense by bringing him back for another round and absolutely nailing it.
Seeing Jackman’s Wolverine in the MCU feels correct in a way that Marvel Studios will likely struggle to replicate. Regardless,Deadpool & Wolverineis a worthy reintroduction of Wolverine into Marvel canon, and it could bolster excitement for the next actor to take on the role. After all, Hugh Jackman was once seen as an odd choice for the role.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
