Hugh Jackman hopes next Wolverine actor 'makes it their own'
Synopsis
Hugh Jackman says he plans to play Wolverine until he's 90 — and when a successor does arrive, he wants them to ignore his version entirely. The actor's deliberate hands-off stance, combined with confirmed X-Men co-star returns for Avengers: Doomsday and a reboot already in motion, signals a genuine changing of the guard at Marvel.
Key Takeaways
Hugh Jackman says he plans to play Wolverine 'till I'm 90' and will not advise his eventual successor.
Jackman has portrayed Wolverine across 10+ films , from the original X-Men through Deadpool & Wolverine .
Co-stars Patrick Stewart , Ian McKellen , Rebecca Romijn , James Marsden , Alan Cumming , and Kelsey Grammer are reportedly set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday , premiering 18 December 2026 .
Director Jake Schreier has confirmed work on the Marvel Studios X-Men reboot has begun.
No casting announcement for a new Wolverine has been made.
Hugh Jackman says he has no intention of coaching whoever steps into the Wolverine role after him — and hopes his successor simply ignores convention entirely. The Oscar-nominated actor, speaking to Project Big Screen, made clear he plans to keep playing the character for as long as Marvel Studios will have him, while signalling a deliberate hands-off approach toward any future casting.
What Jackman Said
'I'm 57. I'm doing it till I'm 90. So, you know, I'll do a little time capsule for them. I'm not going to say anything to whoever plays him, 'cause no one said anything to me, which I really am thrilled about,' Jackman said.
He elaborated on how that freedom shaped his own interpretation: 'I had not read the comics, so I was just coming to it fresh. And I learned a lot over the years. Of course, I've got my own take, but it must be melding in with me in some way. I hope someone just comes in and does whatever the f*ck they want and makes it their own.'
A Record-Breaking Run as Wolverine
Jackman first portrayed Wolverine in the original X-Men film and has since reprised the role across more than a decade of Marvel and Fox productions. His appearances include X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. It is one of the longest continuous runs by a single actor in a superhero franchise.
X-Men Franchise Co-Stars Return for Avengers: Doomsday
Several of Jackman's former franchise colleagues are set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to reports, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Alan Cumming, and Kelsey Grammer have all signed on to reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to premiere on 18 December 2026.
X-Men Reboot Already Underway
Director Jake Schreier, who is helming the upcoming Marvel Studios X-Men reboot, recently confirmed that production work has begun. 'I can't say anything about it, but we've started work on X-Men, and that's obviously very, very exciting,' Schreier said. The reboot is expected to eventually introduce a new actor in the Wolverine role, though no casting has been announced. Jackman's comments suggest any successor will have a blank canvas — by design.
Point of View
He removes the successor's biggest burden — the weight of comparison. It also quietly reinforces his own irreplaceability: the more he insists the role is open, the more audiences are reminded how singular his version has been. With the X-Men reboot confirmed and Doomsday bringing back the Fox-era cast, Marvel faces a delicate balancing act — honouring legacy while building something new. The next Wolverine will need more than creative freedom; they will need a different story architecture entirely.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will play Wolverine after Hugh Jackman?
No casting announcement has been made for the next Wolverine. Hugh Jackman has said he plans to continue playing the character as long as Marvel Studios will allow, and has stated he will not offer any guidance to his eventual successor.
What did Hugh Jackman say about his successor as Wolverine?
Speaking to Project Big Screen, Jackman said he hopes the next actor 'just comes in and does whatever the f*ck they want and makes it their own.' He noted that no one gave him direction when he first took the role, and he found that freedom valuable.
Is an X-Men reboot happening at Marvel Studios?
Yes. Director Jake Schreier has confirmed that work on a Marvel Studios X-Men reboot has begun, describing it as 'very, very exciting.' No cast details or release date have been announced.
Which X-Men actors are returning for Avengers: Doomsday?
According to reports, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Alan Cumming, and Kelsey Grammer are all set to reprise their X-Men roles in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled to premiere on 18 December 2026.
How many times has Hugh Jackman played Wolverine?
Hugh Jackman has portrayed Wolverine in more than ten films, including X2 (2003), Logan, and most recently Deadpool & Wolverine, making it one of the longest continuous runs by a single actor in superhero cinema.
