Hugh Jackman returned to the role of Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, introducing the mutant to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was especially notable because Hugh Jackman has already suggested an excellent successor to the role. Throughout the years, only Jackman has played the adult live-action Wolverine, with even Deadpool & Wolverine‘s cameos only seeing one quick exception. Jackman has become tied to his role in a way few performers are, and it is difficult to imagine another performer taking it on. After the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, it appears the actor may not be done as Wolverine yet.

The question of recasting Wolverine in the MCU has been a significant one. While the open-ended ending of Deadpool & Wolverine made this less imperative, as Jackman could return in the MCU, the question of who will play Wolverine in the inevitable X-Men MCU film is important. Dafne Keen has expressed interest in continuing as X-23, and performers like Taron Egerton and Zac Efron have had their names thrown around for the role of Wolverine for many years. However, Jackman himself suggested a performer for the role 9 years ago that has only grown more interesting ever since.

Tom Hardy Has Become An Even Better Wolverine Replacement Choice Since 2015

Jackman Suggested The Actor For The Role To MTV UK

In 2015, when promoting the movie Pan to MTV UK, Hugh Jackman suggested the British actor Tom Hardy could replace him as Wolverine. This followed Hardy’s hardened and quiet performance in Mad Max: Fury Road and came a few years after his turn as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. However, the performer has gone on to show even more of the same qualities and range that would work in a Wolverine role ever since. Since 2015, Hardy appeared in another interesting role in Dunkirk and has since led a superhero franchise by himself.

The Venom trilogy of films show that Hardy has the superhero chops required to take on a role like Wolverine. In addition, the duality of the character perfectly shows the kind of nuance required for a role like Wolverine, which Marvel art has showed Hardy’s Wolverine to also look great as. While the role of Venom was played with camp, the essence of restrained anger and repressed violence hides under the surface effectively and could perfectly contribute to a take on the Wolverine.

Hugh Jackman’s Approval Makes Tom Hardy’s Wolverine Casting Prospects Even Better

Jackman’s Take On Wolverine Is Important And A Difficult Act To Follow

Whoever is eventually recast as Wolverine will have a challenge on their hands. Even amongst all of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Easter Eggs, only Henry Cavill – and Troy Sivan, who took on the role of a young Logan in X-Men Origins: Wolverine – have also played the role, and only for a brief time compared to Jackman.

This makes it difficult even to imagine another performer successfully taking on the part. Still, casting a very different performer that highlights other parts of the character seems like an important next step. Following Jackman’s opinion on a performer who could do would be an excellent step forward.

Wolverine as a character has evolved from Hugh Jackman’s portrayal, and it will be difficult to follow in his footsteps. However, Hardy could bring a different energy to the role, especially if drawing from his quiet rage in Mad Max: Fury Road.

A version of Wolverine that would be more faithful to the comics than to the Jackman portrayal seems crucial for a prospective replacement to work, and Hardy seems well suited as an actor to bring that kind of performance. In addition, the actor is several inches shorter than Jackman, and thereby closer to canonical height, further differentiating him from the previous iteration.

Could Tom Hardy Actually Replace Hugh Jackman As Wolverine In The MCU?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Likely Wants A Younger Actor

Even if Tom Hardy did already appear in the MCU in a post-credit scene for Spider-Man: No Way Home, the recent casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom goes to show that the MCU is willing to reuse actors multiple times as different characters. However, Hugh Jackman was cast for the role in his early thirties, and Tom Hardy is already ten years older than that. While Hardy could undoubtedly play the role at his age, the MCU may wish for a younger performer who would be willing to carry the mantle for some time.

Hardy has already worked in franchise filmmaking, culminating with Venom: The Last Dance releasing in late 2024. Most performers want to break out of that mould, and jumping to another superhero franchise is not usually done without some break between. However, Hardy seems to have immensely enjoyed his run as the Venom character, with that role taking up so much of his creative energy the past few years. There is some possibility that the actor would want to play the role, even after his time as Venom.

Whether or not Tom Hardy takes on the role of Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains to be seen. Hardy is one of the most interesting performers today, with leading-man looks and charm tied up with a character actor’s dynamic versatility. Hardy may be an excellent pick for the role. However, it is also worth noting that there are many other performers who would also do an excellent job. Hugh Jackman will eventually have to leave the role behind following Deadpool & Wolverine, and whoever Marvel chooses as his successor will have much to live up to.