It was as if Christmas came early for superhero movie fans when it was announced that Hugh Jackman would bereturning as WolverineforDeadpool 3. His tenure as the fan-favoriteX-Mencharacter seemed pretty much over withLogan, and fans everywhere lauded the movie as the perfect swan song for the character and one of thebest superhero movies ever.
Yet, while the return of Jackman’s Wolverine has come as the best surprise, the character is bound to be recast sooner or later. With theMCUplanning out its own version of the X-Men team, it’s only a matter before we receive a different face portraying Wolverine. We’ve heard many rumors over the years, and fans have had their say as well about whom they think should inherit the adamantium claws. Here are the most popular fan picks for the next live-action Wolverine.
Karl Urban
Karl Urbanhas been busy entertaining audiences as Billy Butcher, the superhero-hating vigilante from the gory superhero seriesThe Boys. His character in the show immediately resembles Wolverine in some key ways, from the grizzly facial hair to the tough-talking demeanor. Urban has been the most popular fan choice to replace Jackman as Wolverine, with countless artworks online fan-casting him in the role. Some fans have gone one step further and deepfaked Karl Urban’s face onto scenes featuring Jackman’s Wolverine. Urban’s face fits into the Wolverine make-over with surprising ease. Sadly, however,Urban has pointed outthat Marvel Studios might be unlikely to call him up on the offer, given that he’s just a few years younger than Jackman himself.
Tom Hardyis already portraying another famous character from the Marvel Comics, albeit in another cinematic universe. Although his version of Venom was featured inSpider-Man: No Way Homeduringa post-credit scene, fans continue to find him as a great choice to play the next Wolverine. In addition to having the right looks for the character, Hardy carries a certain ruggedness that carries over into his acting roles. He’s proven himself to be more than capable of handling physical roles, and also has great dramatic chops as evidenced in movies likeLocke— skills that are crucial to the Wolverine role. Best of all, he is alsoJackman’s personal choiceto take on the mantle after his retirement.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffehas solidified his name in pop culture in the role of Harry Potter. But his acting career in the years after theHarry Pottermovies has been quite interesting, and full of eclectic choices. Rugged hairstyles suit him quite well, and his short stature would also make him a comic-accurate Wolverine, as the character is just 5.3 feet tall in the comics. His performance in movies such asGuns Akimboalso shows that he is capable of matching the intense physicality needed for Wolverine.
Related:Elizabeth Olsen Wants Scarlet Witch to Team Up with X-Men After Wolverine’s Return
Taron Egerton
Welsh actorTaron Egertonfound fame with theKingsmanmovies, and proved his acting range with his memorable portrayal of Elton John in the singer’s biopicRocketman. His name has cropped up regularly among fan discussions about whom the next Wolverine should be. Egerton himself has expressed an interest in being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and even said that he would definitely agree to take on the mantle if given the opportunity. However, he’s said in the past that he’s never felt like a “Wolverine sort of guy”. Nevertheless, he has the seal ofapproval from Joe Russoto be cast as the MCU Wolverine.
Antony Starr
Two leading stars fromThe Boysare much coveted by fans for the role of the new Wolverine. Besides Urban, fans also look favorably towardsAntony Starr, who plays the chief antagonist of the series as the supe Homelander. Between this and his other most famous show,Banshee, he has shown that he can merge with his characters in a near-indistinguishable way. This quality could go to good use in creating a brand-new version of Wolverine that builds its own path, rather than seeking to imitate Jackman’s take.
Jared Keeso
Best known for writing and acting in the comedy seriesLetterkenny,Jared Keesois as far from the superhero genre as you can imagine. But there are quite a few people out there who think that Keeso is the best replacement for Jackman in the MCU’sX-Men. There’s even achange.org petitionto cast him as the Wolverine, with over 6500 signatures. There are some good arguments for this casting as well. Much like the Wolverine, Keeso is also a Canadian and is a good few inches shorter than Jackman. His character inLetterkennyalso includes key traits that would translate easily to the clawed X-Man, as Wayne’s demeanor is distinctly reserved and surly, ready to explode into action at any given moment.
Related:MCU’s Wolverine: How Should He Be Introduced to the Franchise?
Scott Eastwood
Hollywood icon and certified badass Clint Eastwood was a major inspiration for the development of Wolverine’s characteristic persona in the comic books. And although he is far too old to play any version of the character today, fans do see his son,Scott Eastwood, as a worthy contender for the role. Fan art on the internet proves that he can look right at home in the Wolverine’s gruff looks.
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnamis best known for his leading role in the TV seriesSons of Anarchy. Hunnam is a natural athlete known for regularly appearing in action movies such asPacific RimandKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword. In later years, he has gone for more varied roles, and is set to appear in the drama thriller seriesShantaram. Throughout his different roles, he has been able to deliver convincing performances that range from crude to vulnerable, which was the most important quality of Jackman’s Wolverine.
Sam Worthington
Sam Worthingtonhas led some of the biggest action films in the past few years such asAvatarandTerminator: Salvation. He’s quite comfortable with physical roles and is clearly a bankable actor from the studios’ point of view. Fans who wish to see him in the role of the MCU Wolverine tend to call attention to the visual similarities between him and Jackman, withGeek Outposteven calling his looks a mix between Jackman and Ewan McGregor. Worthington definitely wouldn’t disappoint if Marvel Studios decided to give him the title in their movies.
