The MCU can’t have Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and the X-Men coexisting without future trouble. Part of the superhero genre’s massive success comes from the early popularity of Fox’s X-Men franchise, which owes a significant part of its own success to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Jackman’s Logan became the face of his franchise almost a full decade before Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man launched the MCU.
Jackman’s Wolverine is so popular that the seemingly definitive ending that Logan provided is partially undone by the actor’s return in Deadpool & Wolverine, yet it poses no problem to his record-breaking tenure. Hugh Jackman genuinely cherishes the character, and his portrayal still has enough potential to continue indefinitely. However, Wolverine’s integration into the MCU also entails some unintended implications.
Marvel Faces A Wolverine Dilemma With Hugh Jackman
Wolverine May Either Overstay His Return Or Miss Out On The MCU
It’s easy to forgive the undoing of Logan‘s perfect farewell. Just the sight of Hugh Jackman wearing Logan’s classic comic book costumes, teaming up with Deadpool, and meeting the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, is worth it. And as long as Jackman is willing to continue, there are countless narrative opportunities for his Wolverine in the MCU’s main timeline.
On the other hand, the MCU’s X-Men are expected to be completely unrelated to Fox’s. Jackman’s Wolverine could adapt to a whole generation of mutants, but a seasoned, alternate-universe Wolverine sharing the screen with a young X-Men team just doesn’t help the new X-Men. Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Logan already has a long history with an entirely different cast, and he would be robbing Marvel the chance to introduce a proper, Earth-616 Wolverine.
If Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine stays after Avengers: Secret Wars, there would be a permanent barrier between him and the new X-Men. If he leaves, Jackman’s beloved character would miss his chance to inhabit the same world as the Avengers, and his return would feel too short following Deadpool & Wolverine‘s promise of future adventures. Neither approach comes without its downsides.
Wolverine’s MCU Stay Risks Overshadowing The X-Men Yet Again
Logan’s Mere Presence Is Difficult To Ignore
If Marvel Studios were to keep Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in the MCU after Avengers: Secret Wars, his presence would revive a long-standing problem that has followed the X-Men across all media for decades. Logan’s sheer star power naturally pulls all focus away from all other X-Men characters. Fox’s X-Men movies repeatedly fell into this trap, with most team-based stories quickly turning into de facto Wolverine showcases, often at the expense of other characters.
Wolverine enters a franchise already conditioned to entire phases that center around a handful of marquee heroes. Jackman’s Logan is one of the most recognizable superhero portrayals ever, meaning the risk of stealing the spotlight is even greater. Add the fact that the new X-Men will likely be played by lesser-known actors, and Wolverine is almost guaranteed to cause the same problem in the MCU.
For the X-Men to thrive in the MCU, Wolverine must be a component of the X-Men’s ensemble rather than its engine. Logan works best as the brash counterpoint to Cyclops’ leadership, as well as the team’s wildcard. If Marvel fails to enforce this balance, Wolverine’s popularity would repeat the very mistake that previously prevented the X-Men from fully becoming a true team on the big screen.
The MCU Can Keep Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Under One Condition
Jackman’s Wolverine Doesn’t Have To Be The MCU’s Main Logan
The MCU can justify keeping Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine with a single restraint: he cannot replace the franchise’s primary Logan. The comics solved this exact problem after killing the main Wolverine by keeping a version of Old Man Logan active in the present-day Marvel Universe. The MCU could use a familiar approach by allowing Jackman’s Logan to exist as a displaced, veteran Wolverine with a defined shelf life, parallel to the X-Men’s own Wolverine.
Using this tactic, Jackman’s Wolverine could work as a crossover character while Prime-Wolverine acts as an X-Men hero. This separation benefits both versions of the character. Jackman’s Wolverine retains his iconic status while avoiding overexposure. At the same time, the new Wolverine earns his place organically, and he only participates in crossovers after establishing himself as an X-Man.
- NAME
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James “Logan” Howlett
- Created By
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Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Romita Sr.
- First Appearance
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The Incredible Hulk (2023)
- Alliance
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X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force
- Alias
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James “Logan” Howlett
