Hugh Jackman Preferred a Different British Actor as Wolverine Replacement, But It’s Not Possible

Hugh Jackman has embodied Wolverine for 24 years, making it difficult to picture anyone else in the role. His recent performance in Deadpool & Wolverine reaffirmed his prowess, and despite Ryan Reynolds joking that Disney might keep Jackman as Wolverine until he’s 90, that’s clearly not practical. With a new generation of mutants joining the MCU, a replacement is likely on the horizon.

Over the years, many actors have been suggested as potential replacements, but Jackman himself recommended one particular name several years ago.

During the press tour for Pan, Hugh Jackman told MTV UK that if 20th Century Fox were to recast Wolverine after his retirement following Logan (2017), he would choose English actor Tom Hardy as his successor. While Jackman thought Hardy would be an excellent fit, he didn’t want the decision to come too easily.

That’s a great question I haven’t really given a lot of thought. I’ve been asked the question a lot and I’m always like “[I don’t want to] make it too easy on the studio to replace me” but I’ve still got one more to do you know, I’m sure they’re already talking about it that some actor is out there “Keep it quiet but we want you next.” He’s younger than me for sure. Then Tom Hardy could be a great [replacement].

Tom Hardy would certainly be an intriguing choice, but there’s a catch—Hardy is already part of the MCU, having appeared as Venom in Spider-Man: No Way Home. This makes the idea of him taking on Wolverine a bit tricky, unless Marvel decides to use the Multiverse to bring him in as a different character. We’ve seen this trick before, like with Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom.

Fans have also floated Henry Cavill as a potential Wolverine, and he even made a brief appearance as a variant known as “Cavillerine.”

Would you want to see Hardy as Wolverine in the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!