Honestly, we all thought he was done. When Hugh Jackman hung up the claws in 2017 after Logan, it felt like the most perfect, gut-wrenching goodbye in superhero history. Then came the yellow suit. In the middle of 2024, Hugh Jackman Deadpool 3—officially titled Deadpool & Wolverine—didn't just happen; it absolutely shattered the box office, raking in over $1.3 billion.
But why did it work? It wasn't just nostalgia bait. It was the specific, gritty, and surprisingly emotional way Jackman stepped back into the role of a "variant" Logan that changed the game for the MCU.
The "Worst Wolverine" Twist
Most fans were terrified that bringing him back would ruin the ending of Logan. director Shawn Levy and star Ryan Reynolds knew this. Their solution? Don't touch that Logan. Basically, they dug up his literal bones in a hilarious, hyper-violent opening sequence to prove that the 2017 version is still dead and buried. Canon preserved.
Instead, the Hugh Jackman Deadpool 3 version is a variant. Specifically, he's the "worst Wolverine."
This version of Logan failed his entire world. He wasn't there when the X-Men needed him, and in his grief, he went on a berserker rampage that left him an outcast. It’s a darker, more regretful take than we’ve ever seen. You’ve got a guy who hates himself being forced to team up with a guy who won't shut up. It’s a buddy-cop dynamic from hell, and it’s brilliant.
That Yellow Suit and 8,000 Calories
Let’s talk about the physical stuff because, wow. At 55 years old, Jackman got into better shape than he was in his twenties. He reportedly ate about 8,000 calories a day—a lot of steamed fish and chicken—while training with David Kingsbury.
And then there’s the suit. For 24 years, fans begged to see the comic-accurate yellow and blue spandex. Seeing Jackman finally wear it, especially with the cowl, felt like a debt being paid. It wasn't just a costume; it was a symbol that the MCU was finally embracing the X-Men’s roots.
The action was different this time, too. Because it’s an R-rated movie, we finally saw Wolverine's claws do what they’re supposed to do. The fight in the Honda Odyssey? Total chaos.
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The Multiverse of Regret
A lot of people think multiverse stories are getting old. They’re kinda right. But Deadpool & Wolverine used the multiverse to explore character rather than just cameos.
- Regret: Both Wade and Logan are "losers" in their respective timelines.
- The TVA: Using the Time Variance Authority (from Loki) allowed them to jump through different realities.
- Variants: We got to see a short Wolverine (comic accurate 5'3"), Patch, and even an Old Man Logan.
The real heart of the film is Logan finding redemption. He goes from a drunk who wants to die to a hero who shares the burden of saving a universe with Wade. It's a genuine arc. It's not just "Wolverine is back to punch things."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Future
There is a massive rumor mill churning right now about what happens next. Many fans assume Jackman is now the permanent "MCU Wolverine."
Is he? Not necessarily.
While the film ends with Logan staying in Wade’s universe (Earth-10005) along with X-23 (Dafne Keen), there is still no official word on him being the main Wolverine for the eventual X-Men reboot. However, it’s basically an open secret that he’ll likely show up in Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
The movie proved that Jackman doesn't need to be the "only" Wolverine to be effective. He can be the veteran mentor while Marvel eventually finds a younger actor for the long-term role.
The Legacy of the Fox Universe
This movie was a funeral and a graduation ceremony all at once. By bringing back Jennifer Garner's Elektra, Wesley Snipes' Blade, and Channing Tatum's (finally!) Gambit, the film honored the "messy" era of Fox Marvel movies.
Jackman was the anchor for that entire era.
Seeing him give it one more go—and actually enjoy himself—felt like the closure we didn't know we needed. It turns out that Hugh Jackman Deadpool 3 wasn't a mistake; it was the shot in the arm the MCU desperately required after a few rocky years.
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How to Stay Updated on Wolverine’s MCU Future
If you're looking to track where Logan goes from here, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- D23 and Comic-Con 2026: This is where Marvel typically announces casting for the new X-Men team.
- The "Anchor Being" Concept: This film introduced the idea that a universe dies if its most important person dies. Since Jackman is now the anchor of Earth-10005, he has a biological reason to stay in the story.
- Physical Training: Watch Jackman's social media. If he starts posting those "Wolverine Wednesday" gym videos again, you know a cameo is coming.
Go back and re-watch Logan first, then jump into the new one on Disney+. The contrast between the two performances is where the real magic is.