Summary:
- Hugh Jackman, returning as Wolverine in Deadpool and Wolverine after initially retiring from the role.
- With strong early box office estimates and an R-rating, the film features returning cast members and newcomers, and could see Jackman continue as Wolverine in the MCU.
Hugh Jackman has portrayed Wolverine for over two decades. Despite other actors being cast as younger versions of his fellow X-Men when the timeline reset after First Class, Jackman has remained the fan-favorite mutant hero.
Jackman initially retired from the character after James Mangold’s Logan, but he was persuaded to return for this month’s Deadpool and Wolverine.
There are even rumors that he will continue as Logan in the MCU for at least one more film. At a recent Berlin fan event, Ryan Reynolds praised his friend and co-star, saying:
“There’s only been one Wolverine because no one can do it except [Hugh Jackman].”
It’s hard to envision another actor filling Jackman’s shoes. Recasting Wolverine isn’t as simple as the other X-Men, due to Logan’s healing factor, which prevents him from aging significantly.
At the Shanghai event, Jackman described making Deadpool and Wolverine as “one of the greatest” experiences of his career.
“I feel in many ways fans of Wolverine—because of Deadpool, because of [Reynolds and Levy], are going to see a fuller, more different side to him than you’ve seen before.”
“There’s only been one Wolverine, the reason is no one can do it except him.” 💛
— Ryan Reynolds at the Berlin ‘DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’ fan event
— Deadpool Updates (@DeadpoolUpdate) July 8, 2024
He continued, “And that was thrilling for me, and I hope it is for you. The experience of making the movie was also one of the greatest of my career, and I’ve been playing Wolverine for 25 years.
“This experience exceeded anything I’ve done before as this character—and in many other movies, in anything.”
“I loved it. And I think it shows on the screen. You can feel the warmth. The movie has a warmth to it, and it’s funny, and it’s irreverent, and the action is crazy. But I think you can feel the friendship.”
Could Jackman continue as Wolverine even when a new team is introduced in Marvel Studios’ planned reboot? Kevin Feige is a big fan, so if Deadpool and Wolverine performs well—and early box office estimates are very positive—it’s certainly possible.
The MPAA recently gave the movie an official R-rating for “Strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore, and sexual references.”
“Marvel Studios presents their most significant mistake to date – Deadpool & Wolverine,” reads the new synopsis.
A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life, his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. When his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant… reluctanter? Reluctantest? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to – Fck. Synopses are so fcking stupid.”
In addition to Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in the title roles, Deadpool and Wolverine will see Morena Baccarin (Vanessa), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al), Rob Delaney (Peter), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), and Shioli Kutsuna (Yukio) return.
They’ll be joined by newcomers Emma Corrin (The Crown) and Matthew Macfadyen (Succession), playing a TV agent and Charles Xavier’s evil counterpart, Cassandra Nova.
Shawn Levy directs Deadpool and Wolverine from a script by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells.
The movie is set to open in U.S. & Canadian theaters on July 26, and will be available in IMAX, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, Cinemark XD, and premium screens everywhere.
