As Deadpool 3 brings Hugh Jackman back to his famous claws, the actor signing on for another Wolverine solo movie would be the worst possible future for him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Deadpool 3 is reported to start production in London this May. The movie features Jackman as Wolverine alongside franchise star Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson, in what will be the first time the characters enter the MCU — following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which reverted the rights for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four back to Marvel Studios.
Jackman originally hanged up the claws with 2017’s Logan, a movie where Wolverine’s healing powers were not working properly anymore, which in the end led to a heartbreaking moment with Logan dying and then Dafne Keen’s Laura turning the cross on his grave into an “X” to represent the character’s X-Men past. After such an emotional and beloved finale for the character, Jackman’s return caught the world by surprise. While a buddy film with Deadpool is a good method to bring the character back, another solo Wolverine movie would be Jackman’s worst MCU future.
The MCU Really Doesn’t Need A Hugh Jackman Wolverine Solo Movie
While Jackman’s return as Wolverine is exciting, the most interesting aspect of him coming back would be to see the character interact with Deadpool and the MCU’s heroes. Following a confusing Wolverine movie timeline, which consists of an uneven trilogy, the possibility of doing another Wolverine solo movie could end up backfiring for Marvel and Jackman. 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine is hailed as one of the worst superhero movies ever — although it introduced Jackman to Reynolds — which would be followed by the forgettable 2013 film The Wolverine.
Following those two misfires came the outstanding, Oscar-nominated, Logan. The movie tied up Jackman’s Wolverine story in the Fox X-Men universe into a neat bow, and it is possible that any attempt at a fourth solo movie for the character could end up tainting that. Besides, Marvel Studios is soon set to fold the X-Men universe of characters into the MCU, and a younger actor should play Wolverine — possibly starring in his own solo movie. Although the MCU is poised to introduce its version of the X-Men soon, Jackman’s Wolverine can play an important role for Marvel before that.
How Jackman’s Wolverine Can Stay In The MCU After Deadpool 3
Even with Marvel nearing the start of the MCU’s original take on characters like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, there is a way for Jackman’s Wolverine to stay in the MCU for a little longer after Deadpool 3. The upcoming Deadpool 3 bows out in theaters in 2024, with the movie being part of the MCU’s Phase 5 and Marvel Studios’ overarching Multiverse Saga timeline. Recently, Spider-Man: No Way Home brought both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as their versions of Spider-Man to the MCU. The movie hinted at the Spideys returning, with Garfield’s Peter wanting to fight an alien — and the MCU soon presenting that opportunity.
Following the MCU’s Phase 4 absence of a movie for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Multiverse Saga will see two massive event movies in the form of 2025’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and 2026’s Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel seems to be preparing to go all out where casting is concerned for the movies, with rumors surrounding Avengers: Secret Wars pointing to that movie closing up the Multiverse Saga in style. Avengers: Secret Wars could open the MCU’s multiverse to include several heroes from Marvel’s live-action history — not just the MCU. Jackman’s Wolverine could then stay in the MCU after Deadpool 3 to help save the multiverse, before finally bowing out.
