By Christmas, it’s expected that Disney will officially announce their acquisition of Fox‘s movie and tv divisions, in a deal that’s reportedly worth north of $70 billion dollars. Fanboys are already starting to dream about the ways in which the X-Men can leap into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, the changed landscape won’t convince Hugh Jackman to return.
The actor hung up the claws as Wolverine — for real, finally — in this year’s gritty, R-rated sendoff, “Logan.” James Mangold‘s film gave Jackman and the character he’s played for years, in multiple films, the farewell they deserved. That being said, while the Disney/Fox deal opens up plenty of new narrative doors, the actor is fine to let someone else wear the sideburns, and walk through them.
“It’s interesting because for the whole 17 years I kept thinking that would be so great, like I would love to see, particularly, Iron Man and the Hulk and Wolverine together. And every time I saw an ‘Avengers’ movie I could just see Wolverine in the middle of all of them like punching them all on the head,” Jackman told Collider. “But it was like, ‘Oh well, that’s not gonna happen,’ and it was interesting just when I first saw that headline — it was just the possibility of it and who knows what’s gonna happen, obviously — I was like, ‘Hang on!’ But I think, unfortunately, the ship has sailed for me, but for someone else I would like to see Wolverine in there.”
No doubt, Jackman wants to move onto other things, and it’s about time we saw someone else take on the iconic role. I have a feeling that there might be a lot wiping the slate clean once Kevin Feige starts bringing mutants in the MCU, and why cling to the past, when you can boldly try new things in the future?
If you have a casting idea for the next Wolverine, sound off below. My choice? How about Justin Theroux?