The MCU Now Has Two Wolverine Replacements, I Actually Want to Return More Than Hugh Jackman's Original

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? season 3, episode 8, "What If... What If?"

After the end of And if...? In season three, there are now two variants of Wolverine in the MCU that I would love to see return more than Hugh Jackman's original clawed X-Men hero. And if...? three seasons have introduced a plethora of wild variants to the MCU, though I still think the animated series only scratched the surface of what the multiverse has to offer. The final moments of And if...? Season 3 Episode 8, “What If… What If?”, provided a glimpse of what we could have had and introduced another variant of Wolverine.

James "Logan" Howlett's Wolverine is one of the most iconic and beloved members of Marvel Comics' X-Men, and he became even more prevalent when Hugh Jackman brought the mutant to live action in the 2000s. X-Men. Since Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox was finalized in 2019, I've been involved in speculation about who will be cast as Wolverine in the MCU, although we've now seen Hugh Jackman reprise the role. Marvel Studios has now presented two possibilities that I would love to see.

The MCU Faces a Big Problem Replacing Hugh Jackman's Wolverine

Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine for 24 years

Hugh Jackman has become synonymous with the role of Wolverine and his return in 2024 Deadpool and Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth, although he played a variant of his original X-Men hero of the franchise, consolidated this fact. Many would be upset if Jackman was replaced with a new actor like Wolverine, although I think that's exactly what the MCU is demanding. Jackman is 56, so while Deadpool may joke about him sticking around until he's 90, he might be ready to hang up the adamantium claws.

When finding a new actor to replace Hugh Jackman, however, Marvel Studios must choose very carefully. Jackman is leaving some big shoes to fill, especially after portraying the iconic Marvel hero in eleven feature films over 24 years.. I loved seeing names like Taron Egerton, Daniel Radcliffe and Zac Efron appear, although it's still unclear what direction Marvel Studios might take with Wolverine in the next MCU film. X-Men restart and beyond. While Hugh Jackman's recast may take some time, I'd love to see the MCU's other two Wolverine variants return in Phase 6.

Henry Cavill's Wolverine Variant Was 2024's Coolest Moment

Deadpool and Wolverine Debuted a New Wolverine Actor

For 24 years, Hugh Jackman and, briefly in X-Men Origins: WolverineTroye Sivan was the only actor to play Wolverine in live-action. Deadpool and Wolverine That changed, however, and I was one of the many who were shocked to see former Superman actor Henry Cavill make his MCU debut as a variant of Wolverine. Cavill's appearance in Deadpool and Wolverine contributed to one of the MCU's most memorable moments not just in 2024, but in the franchise's entire historybut he didn't get much explanation or development in the Phase 5 film.

While I'm of the opinion that Henry Cavill shouldn't be cast as the MCU's official version of WolverineI'd love to see his version of the clawed mutant receive more development before the Multiverse Saga comes to an end. Phase 6 Avengers: Judgment Day and Secret Wars could bring back Henry Cavill's Wolverine, affectionately nicknamed "the Cavillrine" by Deadpool. I'm desperate for this rougher, more hardened version of Wolverine to get more attention, but he's not the only version of the hero I want to see return.

And if...? Introduced another Wolverine variant that I want to see in Secret Wars

And if...? The wildest variant of Wolverine in MCU history debuts

And if...? season 3 waited until the last moment to bring its own version of Wolverine into the MCU, as flashes of unused variants from across the multiverse in the final moments of the series finale included a character that combined Wolverine with the Mad Titan, Thanos . Nothing is known about this variant, or whether Marvel Animation actually had plans to include him in the film. And if...?. It's unknown how Thanos would become Wolverine, or whether he would be a villain or a hero, which makes me even more intrigued to see more of this strange variant of Wolverine.

Whether Hugh Jackman will return to the MCU in Avengers: Secret Wars or not - that hasn't been confirmed yet - I would love to see Cavillrine or Thanosverine leave their mark on the MCU. I I consider it a crime that Thanos' Wolverine hasn't gotten any development And if...?but I consider the multiverse-spanning plot of Avengers: Secret Wars presents the perfect opportunity for it to be explored in more detail. I'm irritated And if...? hasn't done more to expand this exciting Wolverine variant, but Marvel Studios could still solve this problem.

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  February 14, 2025
  

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  July 25, 2025
  

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  July 24, 2026