Actor Taron Egerton recently addressed whether he still wishes to portray Wolverine, a character closely tied to Hugh Jackman, amid Marvel’s planned franchise reset. While Egerton had expressed interest in playing Wolverine in 2022, Jackman reprised the role in 2024. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced that after the release of Avengers: Secret Wars, a reboot would occur—including a reshuffling of the X-Men cast—which could mean Jackman may not continue as Wolverine beyond that point. Egerton discussed these developments in light of his own potential involvement.
Reflections on Filling the Iconic Wolverine Role
During a recent episode of the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, hosted by Josh Horowitz, Egerton was asked directly about the possibility of playing Wolverine in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) recast. He expressed reservations about stepping into such a beloved role, saying,
“Frankly, even if you know, if they do have whatever it is, you know, they were to do it, you know, there there’s some big shoes to fill and I don’t know that I want that much attention on me, frankly.”
He added,
“I just don’t know that that would do me any good, man. The other thing that people experience, I just don’t know that I’m built for it.”
Egerton also reflected on the legacy Hugh Jackman has created as Wolverine, noting that people’s expectation for him to continue that legacy feels unusual but flattering. He remarked,
“It’s always lovely to think that anybody would want you to play a beloved role, but I also think no one is ever going to accept anyone in that role other than Hugh Jackman. He’s completely synonymous with it.”
Earlier Comments on MCU Rumors and Future Aspirations
Back in 2022, during another interview with Josh Horowitz on Sway’s Universe, Egerton clarified that discussions with Kevin Feige regarding Marvel characters did not involve Wolverine. He emphasized,
“there’s no truth, no reality to”
the rumors connecting him to the role. Nevertheless, Egerton expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the MCU in some capacity someday.
Implications for Wolverine’s Future and the MCU
As Marvel prepares to reset its universe following Avengers: Secret Wars, the future of Wolverine remains uncertain. Hugh Jackman’s return in 2024 might be his final time in the role, which opens the door for new actors once the franchise reboot occurs. However, Taron Egerton’s comments suggest he may not pursue the character despite widespread speculation. His respectful acknowledgment of Jackman’s indelible mark on the role highlights the challenge any actor would face in following such an iconic legacy, signaling a cautious approach as Marvel evolves its X-Men storyline.
