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Hugh Jackman is officially set to reprise his role as Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's upcoming film, Deadpool 3. However, the Phase 5 film is far from the end for the actor's iconic portrayal of the fan-favorite mutant. In fact, thanks to the latest rumors circulating in the Marvel fandom, the character may have a major role to play in the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, specifically in Avengers: Secret Wars. While unconfirmed, this rumor has understandably set the Marvel fanbase aflame with theories regarding what Jackman's role in the film might be.
Jackman has portrayed Wolverine in nine different films, spanning all the way from 2000's X-Men to 2017's Logan. Now, after a brief reprieve wherein he claimed to have retired from the role, Jackman is officially returning alongside Ryan Reynolds's Wade Wilson in Deadpool 3. The film is currently slated to release in 2024, though the ongoing writers' and actors' strikes have left the exact release date uncertain. Nevertheless, according to the latest rumors, 2024 won't be the last time that Jackman reprises his iconic role, indicating very exciting things to come for the Multiverse Saga--and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole.
The Latest Wolverine Rumors, Explained
According to the latest rumors, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will have a major role in Avengers: Secret Wars. The upcoming sixth Avengers film is set to bring Phase 6 of the MCU and the ongoing Multiverse Saga to a thrilling conclusion in an adaptation of Jonathan Hickman's 2015 Secret Wars crossover event from Marvel Comics. The storyline sees characters from multiple different universes fight on Battleworld in an incursion event that only leaves one universe standing. Now, it appears as though Hugh Jackman's iconic mutant is being set up to take on a major role in the MCU's adaption of this beloved event, which is currently set to hit theaters in May of 2027, though reports suggest that it may be delayed again in the aftermath of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
In lieu of the MCU introducing its own Wolverine prior to Avengers: Secret Wars, the latest rumors in the Marvel fanbase suggest that Jackman was in talks to take on a "major role" in the film prior to the beginning of the SAG-AFTRA strike. While all negotiations are paused until the conclusion of the strike, the stage is set for Jackman's Wolverine to be a leading character in the upcoming film. While this could simply be a rumor started by overeager fans, Jackman's long history with Marvel and upcoming return in Deadpool 3 lend credence to the idea that he will make a prominent appearance in the company's biggest cinematic crossover event of all time.
Wolverine's Major Role Is Great News For Avengers: Secret Wars
If the theories about Wolverine's major role in Avengers: Secret Warsare true, it could mean very exciting things for the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. While the idea of fan-favorite characters from multiple Marvel franchises outside of the MCU is exciting, some viewers are rightfully concerned that Secret Wars will easily become overpacked. With dozens of noteworthy characters potentially appearing in the film, it would be all too easy for Secret Wars to not do justice to any of them, instead relying on recognizability to get by rather than any substantial character growth. Fears suggest that Secret Wars will air closer to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness's largely meaningless cameos rather than the surprisingly in-depth multiversal crossovers in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
While Secret Wars is rumored to include Marvel characters in abundance, the latest reports about Wolverine suggest that the movie won't waste its cameos. The suggestion that Wolverine will play a pivotal role in the movie indicates that he won't simply be used as a cameo to get audiences in theaters. Instead, he will likely be given a major role in the main storyline of the film, with actual character development and growth that will make his appearance absolutely necessary therein. If Secret Wars is planning to do so for Jackman's Wolverine, the other rumored cameos in the film, including the two previous live-action Spider-Man actors, the other X-Men, and more, may also have substantial roles therein. Secret Wars may not be a cameo-fest as some have worried, but rather an exciting exploration of characters who have long been retired in the Marvel canon.
What Could Wolverine's Role In Secret Wars Be?
Now, all that remains for fans to ascertain is how exactly Wolverine will factor into Marvel's next big multiversal event. 2015's Secret Wars comic saw two universes, Earth-616 and Earth-1610, collide, forcing its inhabitants to fight for the survival of their individual worlds. Some theories have contended that the MCU's Secret Wars will follow a similar storyline, with the live-action Earth-616 colliding with the Fox universe of X-Men characters. As a prominent figure from the X-Men franchise, Wolverine could easily become a leading figure for their world's heroes--and perhaps even an antagonist fighting the MCU heroes in order to save his world.
Conversely, the MCU's multiversal incursions may lead to the gathering of heroes from across multiple different universes to restore order. As a part of a team of Multiversal Avengers, Wolverine could play a key role in saving every universe from the destruction caused by incursion events. This would also allow for characters like Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, Chris Evans's Human Torch, and more to become leading characters in Secret Wars, alongside the MCU's Avengers team. This would help give substantial roles to Jackman's Wolverine and other returning characters, making Secret Wars more than just fanservice, but instead a satisfying ending for every Marvel franchise that has ever existed.
As it stands, Wolverine's appearance is not yet confirmed for Avengers: Secret Wars but he may actually play a pivotal role in the upcoming event. This bodes remarkably well for the movie in the midst of heavy criticism against the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years. If these rumors prove true, it seems more than likely that the franchise will actually pull off an epic finale to the Multiverse Saga, propelling itself forward into a new and exciting future.
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