Hugh Jackman has been doing the rounds to promote his new sci-fi movie Reminiscence and, as you might expect, he's been fielding questions about a possible return as Wolverine.
While the actor has made it clear he's moved on from the role quite a few times in the past (especially after Logan), there have been rumours about a possible return. The creation of the MCU's version of the Multiverse has only served to fuel speculation, with a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness perhaps the most popular theory.
Talking to Screen Rant, Jackman said Wolverine "[is] in my past," adding: "I don’t ever want people to feel that when I say I’m done, it’s a glib thing. It was one of the great chapters of my life."
In a separate conversation with Jake's Takes, the actor went one step further when asked about recent rumours. "Well, the fact, Jake, that I'm hearing about this from you and there's nothing in my inbox from Kevin Feige means it's probably, no matter what idea I came up with, not on the table," Jackman stated. "Let's be clear there."
"I realized before we shot Logan, we got the idea, we knew what it was going to be, and I thought this is it and that really helped me. It really helped to know I was going into my last season when it was my last season, and I made the most of it," he continued. "And it's still a character I hold close to my heart, but I know it's done. Tell that to whomever you want, but please tell it to Ryan [Reynolds] because he doesn't believe it and he thinks I'm joking."
This is disappointing, but not totally unexpected.
Wolverine is bound to be a big part of whatever Marvel Studios has planned for the X-Men franchise, so casting a younger actor makes the most sense to ensure the clawed mutant is around for the long haul. Following in Jackman's footsteps won't be easy, but the hero deserves a big screen return.