It’s been well documented that James Mangold’s Logan will mark Hugh Jackman final time playing the iconic role that’s kept him in claws and muttonchops for the past two decades, but during a new interview, the Aussie actor reveals that he actually gave serious thought to bidding farewell to Wolverine many years ago.
While speaking to EW about the legacy he hopes to leave behind after portraying the fan-favorite mutant for a record 8 times, Jackman revealed that he considered walking away from the role after the infamous X-Men Origins: Wolverine. That first solo outing for Wolvie didn’t go down very well with fans (putting it mildly), and the backlash it received was one factor that influenced his decision, along with not being sure where to go next with the character.
I couldn’t see what the next thing was, I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know where to go…I knew people liked the character. Not all the fans like that first Wolverine. They’re very vocal with me. Good or bad, they tell me. It’s kind of a family I have. ‘What were you thinking?! I love you, man, but that was….
Of course, Jackman would ultimately agree to return to the role, and after a very brief (but hilarious) cameo in X-Men: First Class, he went on to make another solo Wolverine flick, this time with James Mangold behind the camera.
Though The Wolverine was received a lot better than Origins was, many felt the film was still lacking in certain areas, which prompted the duo to return with Logan – and it’s a good thing they did, because both fans and critics alike agree that Mangold’s film serves as a perfect swan song for cinema’s first live-action take on Wolverine.