Key Takeaways:
– Hugh Jackman initially refused to return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3.
– Jackman used a Michael Jackson metaphor to describe his decision to retire from the Wolverine role.
– Eventually, Jackman was convinced by Ryan Reynolds to rejoin and their movie became the highest-grossing R-rated film.
Jackman's Initial Resistance to Reprise Wolverine
Hugh Jackman spent nearly two decades dedicated to portraying Wolverine in the X-Men series. His soulful and heartfelt portrayal in “Logan” was thought to be the end of the road for the Australian actor's journey in the Marvel Universe. Despite numerous pleas from Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, Jackman maintained his stance in various interviews about leaving the character behind.
A Michael Jackson Metaphor
During a 2018 interview with Josh Horowitz, Jackman humorously used a metaphor to portray his dilemma over leaving Wolverine. He was likened to someone leaving a party just as Michael Jackson's track hit the sound system. Despite his love and admiration for the King of Pop, he equated his decision to retire from the Wolverine role as the sheer desire to rest after a long dance session.
However, even as he fully intended to retire the character due to exhaustion, there was an underlining regret of leaving behind the dynamic partnership he could have had with Deadpool.
A Change of Heart in 2022
Surprisingly, in 2022, the tides turned when Reynolds and Marvel Studios managed to convince Jackman to dust off his Wolverine claws. The result was a resounding success. “Deadpool & Wolverine”, with Jackman reprising his role, skyrocketed to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever according to Variety.
Conveying the Finality of His Decision
Earlier, in an interview promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine”, Jackman, asked if he would ever return to the Marvel Universe, firmly reiterated his plan to retire. Despite his affection for Wolverine, he wanted Reynolds and all to understand that he meant it when he said he was done with the role.
However, when finally agreeing to join “Deadpool & Wolverine”, Jackman was all in. He showed unprecedented dedication towards physical transformation and stunt choreography, as revealed by Reynolds in an interview with PEOPLE.
In Conclusion
The “Deadpool & Wolverine” project that initially faced rejection from Jackman, not only succeeded in bringing him back but also created a record-breaking R-rated film. Despite his hesitation and the metaphor of being the dancer that left the party too soon, Jackman found renewed energy in teaming up with Reynolds as Wolverine. This new venture is not only successfully running in theatres but has also reinvented the perception of R-rated superhero movies. Jackman's decision to return undoubtedly delighted fans and mavens of the Marvel universe. But, whether we will get to see more of him as Wolverine remains a question for the future.
