Deadpool 3 excited fans when it was announced that not only was Ryan Reynolds returning to the title role, but Hugh Jackman was announced to be returning as Wolverine as well. Now, the Australian actor has revealed that the character's return was actually his idea.
Deadpool 3 star Reynolds took to social media last month to reveal Jackman's return as Wolverine. The characters have a long history together in the comics, and the films have long teased a team-up between the two of them. Deadpool has frequently made fourth-wall-breaking jokes about Wolverine joining his franchise. The idea was seemingly discarded by Wolverine's death in Logan, which was believed to be Jackman's last outing as the character.
In a feature on Jackman's life for Variety, the detail about Jackman's decision to return as the character was tucked away as one of his more recent moves. Jackman says that the decision came to him in August, just a few weeks before the Deadpool 3 and the Wolverine crossover was announced. Jackman said that Reynolds had been calling him "on the daily," trying to convince him to return to the role. “I think, actually, he’d given up. I think it was a big shock to him. There was a massive pause, and then he said, ‘I can’t believe the timing of this.’”
Jackman also said that he believes the role fits him better now more than ever. “A little part of me now thinks I’d be better at it […] Wolverine’s a tortured character — more tortured than me. But I always get the feeling of him being comfortable in his own skin. And I feel more comfortable in my own skin now," he said. Wolverine's role in Deadpool 3 will probably be more like a co-lead than a supporting character. Jackman acknowledges as much in the Variety piece, stating he's not even sure that the film will be called Deadpool 3, as he says, embodying the character, “I’m pretty sure Wolverine wouldn’t like that title.”
Jackman and Reynolds seem to be having a blast with Jackman's return. Recently, Jackman shared a hilarious birthday wish for his Deadpool 3 co-star, and it looks like that chemistry can bring Wolverine and Deadpool's relationship to life. Deadpool has long had an admiration/attraction for both Hugh Jackman and Wolverine in his film series, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out now that Reynold's long-standing desire to see the two meet on screen is fulfilled.
Deadpool 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on November 8, 2024.
Source: Variety