The anticipation surrounding Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Avengers: Doomsday cannot be overstated. Following comments made six years ago by the film’s directors and the lineup of returning stars from the previous Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, many fans believe Jackman’s Wolverine must make an appearance. Alongside other legendary characters such as Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Wesley Snipes’ Blade, Jackman is often credited with fueling the early 2000s superhero movie renaissance. Remarkably, these three icons have returned to the franchise, delighting fans in memorable roles in several recent films.
Jackman’s Wolverine has played a pivotal role in the Fox X-Men franchise, more than any other character. Until Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool recently joined the ranks, Wolverine stood alone as the only mutant to headline his own live-action trilogy. Moreover, Jackman’s character has been featured in numerous Fox X-Men films, both in cameo appearances and substantial roles, far surpassing any contributions from other original trilogy actors. Therefore, it was surprising to note that Wolverine was absent from the cast announcements for Avengers: Doomsday. However, I remain optimistic about his eventual inclusion in the film.
Avengers: Doomsday Will Showcase Fox’s X-Men
The MCU Has Teased Surprising Returns
Notably, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool were curiously absent from the initial cast reveal during Marvel Studios’ livestream event that celebrated the movie’s production start. While numerous familiar faces from the MCU, including Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, were confirmed, the focus on the X-Men, featuring stars like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, is particularly exciting for Marvel fans.
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X-Men Movies in Release Order |
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X-Men (2000) |
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X2: X-Men United (2003) |
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X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) |
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) |
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X-Men: First Class (2011) |
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The Wolverine (2013) |
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X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) |
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Deadpool (2016) |
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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) |
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Logan (2017) |
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Deadpool 2 (2018) |
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Dark Phoenix (2019) |
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The New Mutants (2020) |
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Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
This exciting development indicates that characters including Beast, Charles Xavier, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Cyclops from the Fox X-Men universe will be featured in Avengers: Doomsday. Previous clues, such as Beast’s appearance in the post-credits scene of The Marvels, suggest these X-Men will indeed originate from this universe. The potential for multiverse interference and monumental confrontations is on the horizon, posing new threats to Earth-616.
Despite Jackman’s absence from the initial announcements, his character’s integration into the Avengers narrative seems inevitable, especially considering the return of many original X-Men characters. The only external addition is Channing Tatum’s Gambit, who made his debut in the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine. All things considered, it would be sensible for Wolverine to join forces with Reynolds’ Deadpool and Dafne Keen’s X-23 in this monumental crossover.
Jackman and Other MCU Stars May Still Join the Avengers Film
Cast Announcement Does Not Exclude Wolverine
It’s worth noting that casting announcements can often be misleading. While certain characters are confirmed, Avengers: Doomsday is likely to feature an even larger ensemble than initially disclosed. Notable MCU figures such as Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and others remain absent from the conversation, suggesting that Marvel may be preserving surprises for audiences. With the scope of the multiverse expanding, we could witness a myriad of actors returning from past Marvel films.
Success of Deadpool & Wolverine Makes Jackman’s Appearance Likely
A Successful MCU Debut for Wolverine
The year 2024 marked a turning point for the MCU with the release of only one major film, yet Deadpool & Wolverine shattered expectations as a blockbuster event. The Deadpool franchise has consistently performed well, with both films generating around $780 million globally. The combination of Jackman’s return to the role after his last appearance in 2017’s Logan and his partnership with Reynolds’ Deadpool created an excellent reception, pushing the film to exceed initial projections.
With global earnings exceeding $1.3 billion, this film has not only become the highest-grossing R-rated movie but also set the stage for Jackman’s involvement in upcoming Marvel projects. Marvel Studios, recognizing the blockbuster success, is likely tapping into this momentum for Avengers: Doomsday. Given that Channing Tatum’s Gambit has confirmed his return in the Avengers film after his debut in Deadpool & Wolverine, it is difficult to imagine Jackman’s Wolverine being left out.
Insights from the Russo Brothers on Wolverine and X-Men
Expectations for a Major X-Men Event
The groundwork for Jackman’s appearance in Avengers: Doomsday can also be traced back to the comments made by the Russo Brothers six years ago. In a Reddit AMA, they expressed their desire to direct a Wolverine film, stating, “We’ve always loved us some Wolverine.” With Jackman now officially part of the MCU, this long-held wish may finally come to fruition.
As the Russo Brothers are likely to prioritize Wolverine’s character for this installment, Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be an epic showdown between the Avengers and X-Men, possibly orchestrated by the sinister Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. Given the prominence of Fox’s original X-Men characters in this film and the evolving dynamics of the Marvel universe, it seems only a matter of time before Wolverine’s inclusion becomes official.