Fans have been eagerly awaiting the moment that mutants and the X-Men will be introduced into the MCU since Disney bought Fox back in 2019. Although it doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has a good idea when they will make their MCU debut.
The one X-Men character that fans anticipate the most is Wolverine, previously played by Hugh Jackman (who finally seems to be done with the role).
It's only a matter of time when Marvel Studios has to recast Logan. Kevin Feige currently doesn't seem to have anyone in mind for the role, but longtime MCU director Joe Russo has some advice on how to reintroduce Weapon X to audiences.
RUSSO SAYS DON'T RUSH IT
Speaking on The Lights Camera Barstool podcast (via The Playlist), Joe Russo spoke about his love of Wolverine and how he “has always been such a special character for (him)” ever since reading his debut issue in Hulk #181.
Russo continued by saying that adapting a character like Wolverine on-screen after already having such a definitive performance from an actor is akin to casting Batman:
“To realize him on screen, it’s very hard because Hugh Jackman's performance is definitive. It’s like Batman; you have to really think of a way to, you have to really find the right actor to come in and give a really different take to that character. But I would really love to see him on screen.”
One suggestion that Russo had for Marvel Studios is to give the character a rest and “come up with something new” when they introduce Wolverine again:
“I think the best thing is to take a break, without question. You need a [palate cleanser], you need to rinse the towel a little bit, let everyone enjoy what was, and then come up with something new. But I’d love to take a crack at Wolverine at some point.”
WHAT THIS MEANS
It's actually a bit comical that all Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige have to do to differentiate themselves from Fox and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine is to simply adapt the character more accurately. Wolverine is ubiquitously famous for being short in the comics, but Jackman obviously is not, standing at 6-foot-3. Another obvious change is actually allowing Logan to wear a proper costume instead of a tank top or black leather.
An easy fix is simply casting a shorter actor for the role, but it doesn't even have to be someone as vertically-challenged as Logan, who is an entire foot shorter than hat he actor who's played him for so many years.
Joe Russo's other piece of advice — giving the character a break — makes a lot of sense. The Fox movies are quite saturated with Wolverine as a character who led several films and even had his own movie trilogy. It'd also help to make him a supporting character instead of a lead. It's about time another member of the X-Men actually takes the role of a leader in the films, like Scott Summers.
All in all, whatever means Marvel Studios uses to reintroduce Wolverine when they get there, it should be almost effortless to separate themselves from Jackman's portrayal of the mutant.
