For the majority of comic book and Marvel fans, Hugh Jackman is the best live-action adaptation of Wolverine that the world has ever seen. Slicing his way through a number of big blockbuster releases, before hanging up his adamantium claws following his last hoorah in this year’s ‘Logan’, he worked his way into the hearts of everybody watching and proved that even a mutant with a usually frosty heart can be open about their emotions.
Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman in the latter’s final ‘X-Men’ film, ‘Logan’
Wolverine wasn’t a dead-cert role for Jackman, with fellow actor Dougray Scott initially eyed up to take on the character. Delays in production and conflicts with scheduling meant that Scott had to exit the role, but it’s not something he was bitter about. Whilst shooting the first ‘X-Men’ movie, Jackman got some advice from Scott which has now allowed him to be open to the idea of another actor rebooting the role on the big screen in the future.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor explained how a meeting with Scott convinced him that he shouldn’t be mad if the torch was passed: “I met him early on and I said to him, ‘Man, I am sorry.’ And he said, ‘It’s just business, but you have just gotten one of the greatest roles out there, so go crush it.’ I just remember being so impressed by that and his class, and hopefully I am a big enough guy that when someone else takes over, I will do exactly what was done to me… And I feel glad to just be a part of the legacy of that character. I feel great parts — great characters out live the actors that play them. Bond, Superman, Batman… So, there you go.”
Jackman’s words certainly ring true. Ben Affleck is the current Batman on the big screen, but such actors including Val Kilmer, Christian Bale and George Clooney have played him in the past. Henry Cavill may be the DC Extended Universe’s Superman, but Dean Cain and Brandon Routh are amongst those who have brought him to life in the past.
More: There’s No Rush To Recast Wolverine After Hugh Jackman
Whether or not we’ll see a recast of Wolverine in the near future remains to be seen, but we imagine it’s something that’s not in the immediate pipeline at Marvel Studios. There are, after all, a plethora of other superheroes that could now be given the spotlight and the chance to shine.
