Disney/Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine took a major swipe at the DC Universe by passing the Wolverine torch to a variant known as Cavill-rine, in honor of Henry Cavill, the former Last Son of Kryptonite. With Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine in Logan, widely believed to be his final appearance as the adamantium-clawed mutant, fans were left wondering who could possibly fill those shoes back in the day. Not only the world, but Jackman himself considered the question, ultimately choosing another British actor as the replacement way before Cavill.

Although a Wolverine replacement was not necessary until the search for variants across the multiverse began, many believed his nomination could have been a major success.

When fans witnessed a touch of lost DCU magic in the MCU with Henry Cavill as a Wolverine variant in Deadpool & Wolverine, numerous theories emerged about whether he was eying to succeed Hugh Jackman. While some theories also suggested Dafne Keen, known for her role as X-23, as another fitting replacement, Jackman himself had previously endorsed Tom Hardy as a potential successor in a discussion with MTV UK eight years ago.

Jackman admitted that, although he had not given it much thought and did not want to make it easy for the studio to replace him, he revealed that the name most frequently considered was British actor Tom Hardy. At the time, Jackman was working on Logan and was expected to return for one final appearance until Ryan Reynolds wrote a love letter to breathe life into the superheroic romantic comedy, Deadpool & Wolverine. Despite his efforts to keep it under wraps, he believed Hardy’s name was already circulating.

Shawn Levy Spills How DC Horrors Inspired Him and Ryan Reynolds to Bring Henry Cavill to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine'

Although Wolverine’s supposed farewell years ago in Logan left fans in tears, even with the mutant's return in Deadpool & Wolverine, they were greeted not by the familiar version of Wolverine, but by a previously unseen iteration of the character.

Hugh Jackman made his MCU debut as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, leading many to speculate whether it marked his final appearance or the start of a new chapter. However, Jackman made it clear from the outset, even before the movie’s release, that this Wolverine would differ from the one fans saw in Fox’s X-Men franchise. The concept for this fresh take came to Jackman during a long drive, as he revealed to Empire Magazine in May.

After an hour of deep contemplation and growing excitement, the idea prompted him to leap out of his car and call his friend, Ryan Reynolds, to say, "Ryan, if you’ll have me, I’m in." While not everyone at the studio was immediately sold, the idea ultimately led to what is now considered the biggest blockbuster of 2024. So, if nothing else, fans can thank Reynolds for ensuring that, despite discussions of a replacement, Wolverine returned as they wanted—portrayed by Hugh Jackman.

Hugh Jackman Doubts His Love for Wolverine in a Stunning Heartfelt Reply to a Fan

What do you think of Hugh Jackman's choice of Tom Hardy as a Wolverine replacement 8 years before Henry Cavill's Cavill-rine in Deadpool & Wolverine? Let us know in the comments below!