Deadpool 3 remains one of the most anticipated upcoming movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Ryan Reynolds finally set to take his talents to the MCU in Wade Wilson's transition from the Fox Universe. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a ton of news on the Deadpool front, with only one co-star confirmed in Leslie Uggams' Blind Al as fans wait for story details and a release date.
Alongside Deadpool's arrival has been a cry from fans for Marvel to bring back Hugh Jackman to play Wolverine in the MCU, even if he doesn't wind up being the James Howlett in future Marvel Studios adventures. There were even rumors that Marvel wanted to have Jackman reprise the role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, although that didn't come to fruition, even with Patrick Stewart coming back as Professor X.
In May 2021, Jackman even hinted at the idea of Wolverine joining Deadpool 3 with a funny video alongside a New York City Parks Enforcement officer, urging Reynolds to include Jackman's iconic character in one movie with the Merc with a Mouth.
Well, to the shock of fans and insiders across the world, those wishes have come true.
Deadpool 3 Brings Back Hugh Jackman
In a video posted to his Twitter page, Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds confirmed that Hugh Jackman will return to the role of Wolverine in Marvel Studios' Deadpool 3. This will be Jackman's first time playing the role since 2017's Logan, which is often regarded as his best performance in the role.
At the end of an 81-second clip, Reynolds suddenly asks Wolverine star Hugh Jackman if he wanted to "play Wolverine one more time" as Jackman walks behind him up the stairs. To the excitement of the entire MCU fandom, Jackman replied with a simple "Yeah, sure Ryan:"
Reynolds: "But we did have one idea. Hey Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?"
Jackman: "Yeah, sure Ryan."
The announcement also came with what is likely the first official logo for Deadpool 3, featuring the antihero's insignia with three Wolverine-style claw marks slashed across the middle.
Alongside the reveal, the video also confirmed that Deadpool 3 will be released in theaters on September 6, 2024.
The full video can be seen below, with Reynolds offering the following caption:
"Hard keeping my mouth sewn shut about this one."
Reynolds shared a long monologue in the clip about his preparation for Deadpool 3, expressing his disappointment that the team couldn't bring anything to the D23 Fan Expo in early September. He went on to tease Wade Wilson's long-awaited introduction into the MCU and how it "obviously needs to feel special," although he admitted that he had nothing when he thought about how to do that:
"Hey everyone. We’re extremely sad to have missed D23, but we’ve been working very hard on the next Deadpool film for, uh, a good long while now. I’ve had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special. We need to stay true to the character, find new depth and motivation, new meaning. Every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart. It’s been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside, and I…I have nothing…yeah…just…completely…empty up there…and terrifying."
The video also ended with the iconic Whitney Houston song "I Will Always Love You," although the subtitles used "Hugh" in place of the original last word to bring another round of laughs and excitement.
Following the announcement, Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy shared the video and used a hilariously short caption, saying "So, ummmmm….yeah," confirming the news about his first MCU movie.
Additionally, Jackman himself shared the announcement on Twitter with the same kind of answer that he gave in the video itself, captioning the post "Yeah, sure."
This will be the fourth Marvel Studios movie of 2024 alongside Captain America: New World Order (May 3), Thunderbolts (July 26), and Fantastic Four (November 8).
Reynolds and Jackman Finally Team Up
MCU fans have been waiting for the X-Men to make their full debut in the MCU ever since Disney acquired their rights in the 20th Century Fox deal. Now, not only does Marvel Studios have a release date for that first X-Men movie, but it comes with one of the most surprising casting announcements in franchise history.
Even with Jackman having seemingly retired from the role of Wolverine after 2017's Logan, he never officially closed the door on a comeback, especially after the X-Men were set to join the MCU. Jackman even said he would have continued playing the character more regularly had Disney acquired Fox sooner, but even if this is only a one-time deal, it will give MCU fans a moment that so many have only dreamed of.
Additionally, getting the movie's release date confirmed only adds to the excitement about Deadpool's impending MCU arrival, with his solo movie now just under two years from premiering. Although fans would have loved to see this confirmed at D23 a few weeks ago, getting the news now brings the same kind of thrills.
Now, with both Jackman and Leslie Uggams in tow alongside Reynolds, fans will continue waiting over the next couple of years for more huge developments from this major new franchise.
Hopefully, those upcoming announcements will bring the same kind of excitement as this one did, as the world now gets one of the most iconic comic book movie portrayals in history back for one final round of action.
Deadpool 3 will now officially release in theaters on September 6, 2024.
