Marvel’s X-Men Reboot Can’t Succeed Until It Replaces Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine

If Marvel’s X-Men reboot wants to succeed, it will soon need to replace Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

What do we know so far about the X-Men? Jake Schreier, who helmed Thunderbolts*, will direct from a screenplay written by Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo. Casting is also officially underway. The only confirmed update is Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, who debuted in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

As for who will join Grey, Kit Connor will reportedly play Scott Summers/Cyclops, and Samara Weaving is set to depict Emma Frost. Marvel did not announce Connor and Weaving, but the major trades, including Deadline, have reported the duo’s involvement.

As for who will play Professor X, Beast, and the rest of the team, it’s still unknown. Adam Driver, Bill Skarsgård, Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Inde Navarrette, and Patrick Wilson have all been rumored to be in the running for various roles.

One role that hasn’t been heavily rumored in the X-Men reboot is Wolverine. As of now, that role still belongs to Hugh Jackman. If Marvel wants to enter the Mutant Era of the MCU, they must start planning for life without Jackman.

Marvel’s new X-Men era needs its own Wolverine after Hugh Jackman’s run ends

Jackman’s Wolverine is now one of the most iconic superheroes of the 21st century. Many of Jackman’s co-stars from Fox’s X-Men, including Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, are appearing in Avengers: Doomsday.

Jackman’s involvement in Doomsday and Secret Wars is unknown. Jackman starred alongside Ryan Reynolds in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which is the highest-grossing film of all time. Because of that film’s popularity, Jackman’s Wolverine could show up in either Doomsday or Secret Wars in a prominent role.

After Secret Wars, though, Jackman should pass the torch to the next actor. Secret Wars represents the swan song to the Multiverse Saga and the bridge to the Mutant Era. It’s the perfect time for Jackman to say goodbye to his character again.

Marvel needs a fresh start with the X-Men. That means leaving beloved actors like Jackman behind in favor of younger ones. This happens all the time in superhero movies. There have been multiple actors to play famous characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, and members of the Fantastic Four. The same needs to happen for Wolverine.

It won’t be an easy decision to replace Jackman. He’s synonymous with the character. Marvel might be best suited by casting an unknown to play Wolverine so the audience can form a new relationship with the actor. Either way, it’s time to thank Jackman for his service and give another actor a chance to play the character.