One of the biggest surprises in 2022 was the announcement by Marvel that “Deadpool 3” would include the triumphant return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. After the hugely successful release of “Logan,” Jackman had sworn that there was no way he would return to the character. Well, apparently, the chance to team up with Ryan Reynolds was just too enticing. And thanks to an MCU trick, he can justify returning and not messing up “Logan.”
Speaking on “The Jess Cagle Show,” Hugh Jackman was asked why now is the time for him to return as Wolverine in the upcoming “Deadpool 3.” The actor said that the original idea of teaming up with Deadpool and Ryan Reynolds came right as he saw the first film. The only problem was that he had already announced “Logan,” and he felt it was too late.
“If I’m honest, I announced ‘Logan’ was my last [‘X-Men’ film], and I went to see ‘Deadpool’ and 20 minutes in, I’m like, ‘Curses!’” Jackman explained. “All I could see is Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy in ‘48 Hrs.’ This is something we haven’t done with the character. That’s the kind of dynamic we haven’t had before. But then I just put it aside and was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m done.’ And then we made ‘Logan,’ and I was super happy with it. ”
But it wasn’t until August 2022, that it occurred to Jackman that he could return as Wolverine, join “Deadpool 3,” and play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to a classic comic book trick. That’s when he called Reynolds and eventually talked to Marvel boss, Kevin Feige.
“All because of this device they have in the Marvel world of moving around timelines, now we can go back because, you know, it’s science,” he said. “So, I don’t have to screw with the ‘Logan’ timeline, which was important to me. And I think probably to the fans too.”
So, it turns out, in the case of Wolverine, at least, that Hugh Jackman can have his cake and eat it too. He can rest easy knowing that “Logan” is the swansong for his character that he spent decades building up, but also take a quick detour and dabble in something brand new.
“Deadpool 3” is expected to arrive in theaters on November 8, 2024.