Hugh Jackman’s advice for the next Wolverine isn’t what you think
Hugh Jackman isn’t passing down the claws with instructions. The longtime Wolverine says he won’t coach or script the next actor — he wants whoever follows to carve out the role on their own.
Hugh Jackman has been Wolverine for so long, it almost feels like they should just retire the character when he finally puts the claws away. But, inevitably, someone else will be shoved into that role sooner or later. And if you assumed Jackman would offer a few sage words to his successor—well, that’s absolutely not happening.
Jackman’s Surprising Approach: No Advice, Thanks
Jackman was chatting with Project Big Screen on YouTube when the topic of the ‘next Wolverine’ came up. Would he pull the new actor aside, offer a few bullet points about looking moody and using the claws properly? Not a chance.
'I’m not going to say anything to whoever plays it because no one said anything to me, which I really am thrilled about.'
Honestly, that checks out. Jackman explained that he landed the part without ever having read an X-Men comic. He dived in completely blind and just worked it out as he went, letting his own personality sneak into the role over the years. 'Arriving without preconceptions' is how he put it—and apparently, that was a massive relief for him.
He made it quite clear: the next person should do exactly the same. ‘I hope someone just comes in and does whatever they want and makes it their own.’ In other words, no one wants a second-rate Jackman imitation running around in yellow spandex.
The Claws Stay… For Now
Jackman—now 57—also couldn’t resist poking fun at the fact he’s still at it. ‘I’m 57. I’m doing it till I’m 90,’ he joked. Apparently, he’ll keep turning up as Wolverine until someone pries those claws from his hands. The interviewer chimed in to say, probably rightly, that the next Wolverine actor hasn’t even been born yet. That at least got a laugh out of Jackman.
- Jackman’s been playing Wolverine since the original X-Men film in 2000.
- He’s clocked up more appearances as a live-action superhero than pretty much anyone else in cinema history.
When and how he’ll actually retire is still anybody’s guess, but every move he makes is followed closely by fans across the globe. If you’re hoping for a grand torch-passing moment, don’t hold your breath—Jackman’s version of a welcome mat is leaving it entirely blank.