Ok – Nobody freaks out, but let me tell you that Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine for over two decades. What a journey!
Believe it or not, Hugh is the only man who could have made Wolverine so popular since the 2000s.
However, did you know that Wolverine was not originally intended to be played by Hugh Jackman? Taking on this mutant role significantly changed Hugh’s physique; he even set a Guinness record for playing Wolverine.
As we await the upcoming ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ let’s look back at 24 years of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
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X-Men (2000)
Wolverine first debuted in “X-Men” (2000), depicting the classic conflict between 2 mutant groups: the pacifist X-Men of Charles Xavier, and the supremacist Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto.
Logan, or Wolverine, becomes a pivotal character amid that conflict. Known as a loner with a mysterious past, Wolverine’s badass claws and rapid healing ability stand out immediately.
Yet, despite his cool exterior, he reveals a warm, humane side, which makes him particularly compelling—thanks largely to Hugh Jackman’s portrayal.
Interestingly, Jackman was a last-minute casting, brought on 3 weeks into filming and quickly shaped up for the role (sounds harsh).
His remarkable performance and the film’s strong plot made him an irreplaceable figure on the movie screen.
Notably, the series chose to forgo Wolverine’s iconic yellow costume and mask, yet it didn’t diminish his impact.
X2: X-Men United (2003)
In “X2: X-Men United” (2003), Wolverine continues to grapple with 2 unresolved issues: his forgotten past and his lack of formal allegiance to the X-Men.
This sequel gives him a chance to unearth some of his painful memories during a confrontation with William Stryker at his former Project X facility.
Hoping to gain insights into his past through Stryker, Wolverine instead faces harsh truths, being told, “You were an animal then, you are an animal now.”
Despite this, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal in his second appearance deepens Wolverine’s complexity, showing him wrestling with his inner turmoil while steadfastly holding onto his convictions.
This film marks Wolverine’s official integration into the X-Men, reflecting significant character development.
From this point, Hugh Jackman committed even more deeply to the role, undertaking rigorous physical training and immersing himself in comic book research to faithfully capture the multifaceted mutant.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Did I say 2 things remained with Wolverine in the previous section? Well… here is actually the 3rd unsolved issue: his feelings with Jean Grey.
In “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006), Wolverine faces yet another personal turmoil: the heart-wrenching decision to sacrifice Jean Grey, now the Dark Phoenix, whom he still harbors feelings for.
Additionally, with key members like Cyclops and Professor X absent, Wolverine is thrust into a leadership role, marking his transition from an outsider to a central figure within the team.
Despite the film receiving mixed reviews for its plot, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine was widely praised.
He seamlessly combined physical presence with deep emotional expression, securing his status as the definitive Wolverine in the hearts of fans.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
As the “X-Men” trilogy series appeared to be winding down, 20th Century Fox launched “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” to delve into the backstory of their key character, Wolverine.
The film traces his early life as James Howlett, his involvement with William Stryker, his transformation through the Weapon X program, and his complex relationship with his “sibling” Victor Creed, or Sabretooth.
Additionally, it offers a plausible explanation for his amnesia and solitude prior to joining the X-Men, tying it back to an adamantium bullet to the head.
Hugh Jackman heavily invested both physically and financially in this project. Despite his efforts, he was dissatisfied with the film being more of a prequel to the series rather than a standalone Wolverine story.
However, it’s tough to fault 20th Century Fox since, after all, the movie still falls under the “X-Men” banner.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Despite initial plans to produce a series of “X-Men Origins” prequels focusing on individual characters, 20th Century Fox shifted gears and released “X-Men: First Class.”
This film primarily explores the early days of Professor X and Magneto, marking a departure from focusing solely on Wolverine, despite the success of the previous standalone Wolverine film.
Sounds like a drastic change, right? Yet, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine still makes a notable impact with a brief but significant cameo.
His appearance is not lengthy, but his sharply delivered dialogue ensures Wolverine leaves a memorable mark on this new chapter of the X-Men saga.
This cameo acts almost as a passing of the torch, cementing his legacy within the broader franchise.
The Wolverine (2013)
Of course, changing the prequels plan of individual characters doesn’t affect the fact that: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” proved to be a gold mine for Fox, y’all.
This prompted them to launch “The Wolverine” to delve deeper into Wolverine’s past with a narrative aimed at captivating new fans. And it certainly paid off!
Stricken with grief after killing Jean Grey, Wolverine departs from Xavier’s School and finds himself in Japan, embroiled in conflict with Yoshida’s corporation.
After things are done, Wolverine keeps up with his loner’s journey.
The film accomplishes 2 major feats: it solidifies Hugh Jackman’s portrayal within Wolverine’s storyline and pushes the character to his limits, resulting in significant growth.
“The Wolverine” successfully marries deep personal exploration with thrilling action, further exploring Wolverine in a complex line of characters in the X-Men series.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014) marks a pivotal point in the X-Men series, aligning with the burgeoning trend of superhero crossovers set by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In this installment, the timeline continuity of the original X-Men trilogy merges with that of “X-Men: First Class.”
Amidst this, Wolverine, previously relishing his solitary freedom, is recruited by Professor X and Magneto to combat the threat of the Sentinels—robots designed to hunt mutants.
Wolverine’s unique healing factor and historical presence make him the sole candidate capable of time-traveling to 1973 to avert the creation of the Sentinels.
His pivotal role bridges the past and future, ultimately adjusting the course of events to prevent a mutant apocalypse.
Thankfully, this intervention revises the catastrophic future, and Wolverine finds himself awakening in 2023.
However, this journey inadvertently leads his younger self to once again fall into the clutches of William Stryker’s Weapon X program in 1973, setting the stage for another cameo in “Apocalypse.”
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
“X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016) continues the narrative thrust from “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” introducing a formidable new threat that necessitates the unified efforts of the X-Men.
In this revised timeline, Wolverine’s role is less prominent but still noticeable (due to his fame, I guess?).
Following an attack on Xavier’s School by William Stryker, who kidnaps several mutants, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler find themselves at Stryker’s Weapon X facility where they release a captive Wolverine.
Wolverine’s behavior suggests his skeleton has been infused with Adamantium and his memories erased, as indicated by the mechanical headpiece.
Instinctively, he demolishes the Weapon X base and flees into the wilderness, left completely memoryless.
This action mirrors his conduct in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” and exactly the appearance of Wolverine in “Weapon X” comics.
By the time we reach 2023, as depicted in “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” Wolverine has regained his memories, stabilizing his existence in the present without further temporal disruptions.
Logan (2017)
Logan” (2017) marks the finale of Wolverine’s epic 17-year journey, culminating in a profound exploration of his legacy.
Known for his rough exterior, good heart, and formidable steel claws, Wolverine has embodied the quintessential hero. Yet, what remained elusive was his legacy.
“Logan” offers a resolution to this, drawing some criticism but largely acclaimed by fans for providing a fitting conclusion to his story.
In this film, Hugh Jackman portrays an older, wearier Wolverine, a role that, while perhaps easier due to his age, still demands a deeply nuanced performance.
Ultimately, Wolverine sacrifices himself for the future of mutants, embracing a heroic end after over two centuries of his existence.
This act of selflessness defines the legacy he leaves behind, cementing his 17-year tenure on screen as one of the most enduring in Marvel’s history.
Interestingly, from this movie onward, Hugh Jackman holds the Guinness World Record for “longest career as a live-action Marvel character.”
Deadpool & Wolverine (2023)
Hold up… Just when we thought Wolverine’s saga was concluded, Hugh Jackman surprised everyone in September 2022 by confirming his return in “Deadpool 3” as Wolverine.
This version of Wolverine will emerge not from the original or revised timelines established in the X-Men series, but from a branch within them.
More specifically, this Wolverine might be the one existing between the events of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Logan.”
While details about how Logan will be portrayed in the upcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine” are still under wraps, it’s likely he’ll face further challenges from his past.
This continuation affirms Hugh Jackman’s indelible mark as Wolverine, solidifying his portrayal as definitive and seemingly irreplaceable.
His return not only excites fans but also promises to add depth and complexity to the beloved character.
What do you guys think? Do you agree Hugh Jackman as Wolverine could never be replaceable? Share your thoughts!