Recently, Hugh Jackman made it public that the third Wolverine film would be his last. It wasn’t a big shock to many of us because as we know, actors tend to age and move on from franchises. Jackman has owned this role from day one, and while we anticipate watching a great final performance, we also can’t help but imagine and speculate who will be recast in the iconic role.
While we won’t know for some time what the plans for the character are, I personally believe that they don’t have to kill off Jackman’s version just to bring in a new actor. We all know how the Bond character goes and that has worked out well for everyone (team Moore!). Since Logan’s aging is slowed down by his healing powers, he’s not a character that needs to be killed off or retired. I’d like to see the series continue without having to go through the infuriating process of a reboot.
I believe there is an actor who could take on the role and do it justice – to become Wolverine just like Jackman did. We should at least attempt to compile a list of actors who could put on an admirable performance. Before we do, Hugh Jackman recently gave his two cents about who might make a good Wolverine:
I haven’t really given it a lot of thought. I’ve been asked that question a lot, and I’m always like, ‘I don’t wanna make it too easy on the studio to replace me,’ you know? I’ve still got one more to do. I’m sure they’re already talking about it, and there’s some actor [they’ve told] ‘shh, keep it quiet but we want you next.' He’s younger than me for sure. I think Tom Hardy would be a great Wolverine.
That is a huge compliment and certainly got people talking about the possibility. If you’ve seen Hardy in anything (except maybe THIS MEANS WAR) you know how great of an actor he is, and I’m willing to say right now that he would be in my top three choices. Mind you, he would be a little older (he’s 38 currently) than Jackman was when he first entered the role in 2000 (Jackman was 32). Just look at these two guys though – top physical shape and in the prime of their careers; age is but a number I say. Hardy is a fantastic actor who always shines in physically demanding roles and would certainly bring brooding to a whole new level here. Perhaps we would get a more anti-hero approach from him as well.
So who else is ready to take on the role of the adamantium-clawed mutant? Who can deliver the cool personality, funny one-liners and bad ass attitude that have made him one of the most popular comic characters of all time?
I’m going to say a name and you have to promise not to CAPS me, OK? Shia LaBeouf. Forget what you’ve read in the tabloids or the people who dismiss him straight away. He’s a great actor, one who has been lauded by his peers and bosses including Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg. He lives the Logan life already, so give him some powers to play with and we have a reasonable possibility I think.
I’ll make nice now and drop Kit Harington in the mix. He’s already got the loyal fanbase of geeks built in thanks to his great work on Game of Thrones; more importantly though, he has the look and ability to pull it off. As Jon Snow he’s always brooding while doing the honorable thing, and Kit is due for a superhero movie or franchise isn’t he? Sorry POMPEII.
The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus was a name I heard mentioned for the role; of course he’s also an Internet darling like Harington. The ladies love his young Jake the Snake-like domineer so I don’t know how seriously I take this suggestion; he can put on the bulk I’m sure, but is he a leading man? We might as well suggest Aaron Paul to satisfy the same crowd I think.
We will need some hair dye for my next casting idea, Charlie Hunnam. The actor seems to be on the verge of super stardom and a role like this would solidify his greatness. We already know he’s a talent, so what might he be missing, if anything, to take on the role? I’ll leave you with two more ideas: Garrett Hedlund, who plays Hook alongside Jackman in PAN, and Scott Eastwood, who will likely be Deathstroke in the upcoming SUIDICE SQUAD movie. Both versatile actors have the look and talent, but I would say Eastwood edges out the win because of his resemblance to Jackman and his famous movie star dad.
Who would YOU cast for the roles of Wolverine? It's Cast This, bub.
RESULTS FROM CAST THIS: CHARLIE'S ANGELS – Alexandra Daddario, Alison Brie, Anna Kendrick
I knew I would have the pleasure of putting together the top 3 casting choices that our readers selected. These are the top three choices and I have to say, I think we nailed it! I didn’t even think about Alison Brie, that’s some perfect casting right there. Kendrick, not a favorite of mine in anything but I see the appeal. Daddario could definitely pull off an Angel character, sadly this will more than likely be a PG-13 movie, and we know she came to be a favorite around her for her R-rated performance on True Detective. Swings and roundabouts I suppose.