Wolverine remains one of the most popular characters in Marvel Comics history but, believe it or not, it's now been five years since we last saw the character on screen. Hugh Jackman has hung up his claws and appears resolute in his lack of interest in suiting up as the iconic X-Men hero again.
We're bound to see a new Wolverine eventually cast for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but one wacky rumour that's recently been doing the rounds claims a Variant will appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Believe it or not, it's said that Jackman won't be taking this chance to play the hero again and it will instead be a different actor who brings the clawed mutant to life.
We're not sure how much stock to put in that rumour, but thought we'd have some fun imagining who could play the next big screen Wolverine. Whether it's a one-off appearance or meant as a way of introducing the MCU's new Wolverine, each of the actors listed here has what we this is real potential.
To take a look through our Wolverine casting suggestions, just click on the "Next" button below!
5. Tom Hardy
He’s previously been named as Hugh Jackman’s personal favourite to take over the mantle of Wolverine, and it’s not hard to see why. As great as the Australian actor was in the role, he'd rarely get the chance to unleash his inner animal as Logan. Looking back on his previous roles, it's not hard to picture Hardy's Wolverine using his claws to tear through bad guys with glee.
The problem here, of course, is that Hardy already has a big Marvel role as Venom in Sony Pictures' Spider-Man Universe, and that's why we think this would make for an enjoyable, one-off cameo.
After Hardy just made an appearance as Eddie Brock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, how better than to double down on the idea of Variants than visiting a world where Wolverine shares Hardy's likeness? Bringing many a fan-cast to life here, this is a cameo that would definitely get fans talking.
4. Norman Reedus
While Norman Reedus remains a fan-favourite choice to play the MCU's Ghost Rider, that feels a little too much like typecasting to us. Saying that, The Walking Dead's Daryl certainly has a fair bit in common with the fan-favourite mutant. For starters, he isolates himself, likes a drink, and is a dark and brooding tough as nails SOB who can always be relied upon in a fight.
At their core, they are two very different characters, and there are a lot of other things Reedus could bring to this role. It’s easy to imagine his Wolverine being a lot more animalistic than Jackman’s, with a greater focus on his inability to simply settle into being a member of the X-Men due to his awful past and violent nature. So, not quite Daryl with claws, but something close to that.
With so many fans expecting Reedus to play Johnny Blaze once The Walking Dead wraps up, having him instead take on the role of Wolverine would be an awesome way to subvert expectations.
3. Russell Crowe
Quite a few actors were eyed for the role of Wolverine before Hugh Jackman nabbed the part, and Russell Crowe was among them. It's always fun to think about what might have been, of course, and Marvel Studios could show us exactly that by having the Gladiator star suit up as a Wolverine Variant.
It's worth noting Crowe is set to appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, but with that likely to be little more than a cameo as Zeus, we can't imagine an earlier Wolverine cameo leaving audiences confused.
We're by no means suggesting Crowe should be the MCU's permanent Logan. However, for a cameo that pays homage to the X-Men Universe's history and puts an unexpected (likely de-aged) face in a role we never thought we'd get to see them take on, this would work perfectly in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We'd definitely put Crowe in the classic blue and yellow too.
2. Keanu Reeves
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Keanu Reeves have both talked about meeting to try and find the right role for the actor, and he remains a fan-favourite choice to play the next Wolverine.
At 57 (not that he looks his age), we're not sure if he'd be the best choice to play Wolverine on a long-term basis. After all, that's a character we hope to see become a huge part of the MCU moving forward and, like Spider-Man, Logan is someone who should appear in multiple franchises over several years. However, when it comes to a one-off cameo, we think this would be perfect.
If Reeves is looking for a small, yet memorable role in this shared world before returning to his popular John Wick franchise, then sending Doctor Strange to a world where the actor plays a badass Wolverine would be no bad thing. We can easily imagine cheers breaking out in packed theaters for this...
1. Liam Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth auditioned for the role of Thor, though it was his brother, Chris, who ultimately won the part of the God of Thunder. It's a little surprising that Liam has never chosen to take on a Marvel or DC role since then, though Wolverine could be the perfect character for him to make his own.
Like his brother, Liam has some swagger and charm, but also an intimidating enough presence to ensure you wouldn't want to mess with him when he goes into that trademark "Berserker Mode."
We'd be open to seeing this Hemsworth brother stick around as Wolverine, though if Marvel Studios is looking for a fun, throwaway cameo, Liam could probably be thrown in as a Thor Variant!