Wolverine is one of the most popular heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that Hugh Jackman has joined the franchise, but the actor’s legacy as the mutant spans decades before his MCU debut. Jackman’s version of Logan grew to be the main character of Fox’s X-Men movies. As such, he was the only one to have a spinoff franchise of his own. Jackman starred in the Wolverine trilogy before he moved over to the MCU.

So far, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine stands as his only entry in the franchise. However, since it has become one of the MCU’s best movies, Jackman is expected to return for more. Be that through the MCU’s upcoming Avengers films in the Multiverse Saga, a ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine sequel, or a role in the X-Men movie reboot. Before looking into Jackman’s Wolverine future, a look at his past is required, as it shows how well Wolverine was used in some projects, while in others, not so much.

11

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Released In 2009 – Wolverine Trilogy

There are some good parts in Jackman’s first solo movie as Wolverine. The biggest positive aspect of the movie is how it plays with the Sabretooth and Wolverine relationship. Making them brothers turned rivals works wonders for the film.

If only the rest was as good, X-Men Origins: Wolverine could have ranked higher on the list. However, that does not happen to be the case. With a botched ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool, many controversial source material changes, an uneven script, and spotty CGI, it is not very good.

All of those reasons make the film the most criticized out of the live-action X-Men movies. Its failure single-handedly killed the planned “Origins” label for the franchise. While he was the star of the movie, Jackman’s two subsequent Wolverine solo entries would be better than the first.

10

X-Men: Apocalypse

Released In 2016 – Younger X-Men Franchise

Jackman’s Wolverine is the most popular live-action mutant Fox had. As such, that led to the character popping up for several cameos after the original X-Men trilogy was done. Due to X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘s poor handling of a major hero, it ranks below the cameos.

The first of the Wolverine cameos on the list comes from X-Men: Apocalypse. The younger X-Men franchise showed snippets of what Logan was up to as it went along. In the film, Fox decided to include the longest of Logan’s cameos.

Turned into Weapon X, a nod to his comic book origin, Wolverine was more animal than man. Jean Grey releases him, and Logan swiftly slices through an army, making life easier for the X-Men. To end it, Jean restores his memory, setting up their future bond.

9

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2

Released In 2018 – ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool Franchise

Wolverine’s cameo at the end of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 is shorter than his role in the previous entry on the list. However, it is one of the funniest uses of the character in live-action. The scene also reunited Wolverine with Ryan Reynolds’ ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool.

This time, Reynolds got to play a comic book-accurate ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool. Using Cable’s time-traveling device, he went back to a few key moments in history. That led to him repeatedly shooting the Wade Wilson from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, informally known as Barakapool among fans.

While Jackman did not return to shoot new Wolverine scenes, the use of archival footage was effective. Logan reacts to ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s surprise arrival, while Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth makes sure his earlier counterpart is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. The scene builds excitement for their future meeting.

8

X-Men: First Class

Released In 2011 – Younger X-Men Franchise

The final Wolverine cameo on the list comes in the form of Jackman’s first foray into the younger X-Men franchise. After Wolverine dominated the screen time in the original X-Men movies, a franchise change was necessary, so he was mostly absent moving forward.

Fox knew it had to explain why Wolverine was not in X-Men: First Class to audiences. The studio decided to do so in the most hilarious fashion. As Magneto and Charles Xavier go around recruiting mutants, they meet Logan in a bar and ask him.

Before they can say more than their names, Wolverine cuts them off, saying, “Go f-ck yourself.” It is very much in line with the character. Albeit brief, the Wolverine appearance ranks higher than others because it is iconic, funny, and captures Logan’s essence.

7

The Wolverine

Released In 2013 – Wolverine Trilogy

The Wolverine was the second of Jackman’s solo movies as Logan. It was a notable step up from its predecessor. However, The Wolverine lacked the excitement that had come to be expected from Jackman’s take on the famous Marvel mutant.

Sure, there was a lot of action throughout. That, mixed with some intriguing ideas that offered a look at Logan’s past and provided nice character development, made The Wolverine rise above the entries that came before it on the list.

However, the film pretty much crumbles by its third act. The Silver Samurai fight has its moments, but it is more CGI mess than jaw-dropping action. Logan’s second solo movie developed the character’s psyche more, but it lacked the necessary scope of a Wolverine-centric story.

6

X-Men: The Last Stand

Released In 2006 – Original X-Men Franchise

While the original X-Men trilogy was more consistent in quality than the younger version of the franchise, it still had one meandering movie. That happened to be X-Men: The Last Stand. The movie was problematic on multiple fronts, impacting major characters.

Cyclops’ death out of the blue is just one of the movie’s main issues. A disjointed story that does not fully dedicate itself to the Dark Phoenix storyline nor the mutant cure element pushes the movie down the list. Where Wolverine is concerned, things were a little better.

The movie ranks midway on the list due to how impactful it was for Logan. There is a strong emotional core that defines Jackman’s Marvel hero. Wolverine is forced to kill Jean Grey, the woman he loves, as she begs him to do it so she will not kill everyone due to the Phoenix. It is dark and sad, showing Wolverine’s tragedy well.

5

X-Men

Released In 2000 – Original X-Men Trilogy

2000’s X-Men had to be one of the movies highest on the list. The film was the first live-action X-Men movie and Wolverine appearance. As such, it has historical meaning for Jackman’s time as Wolverine, also doing great things for Logan.

While Cyclops is the X-Men’s field leader in the comics, X-Men would make Wolverine the most popular character. Jackman’s Wolverine had many memorable moments throughout. From rescuing Rogue and showing a softer side with her to Logan’s bravado fighting Sabretooth, many layers of the character are displayed.

The film allowed Jackman to showcase his ability to make Wolverine an unstoppable killing machine with a heart. It serves as the foundation for a 25-year and counting career for the actor in the Marvel universe. As such, X-Men is one of Jackman’s best Wolverine appearances.

4

X2

Released In 2003 – Original X-Men Franchise

After Jackman’s Wolverine proved himself the breakout character of 2000’s X-Men, X2 went ahead and put him front and center. With the arrival of Brian Cox’s William Stryker, Wolverine’s past was explored for the first time on the big screen.

The film devotes a sizable portion of its story to Logan’s inner turmoil. Having lived years with missing memories, Wolverine’s origin story, how he received his Adamantium skeleton, the pain he went through, and all that Stryker did make for a tragic storyline for Jackman’s character.

Still, X2 is a film that leads to Logan reclaiming his life and his history. By the end of the film, Jackman’s Marvel mutant has remembered key parts of his past, made peace with his situation, and gotten revenge on Stryker. That leads to it being one of Wolverine’s most important appearances.

3

X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Released In 2014 – Younger X-Men Franchise

Jackman’s top three Wolverine appearances so far are all among the best superhero movies of all time. While the actor did not play a big role in most of the films in the younger X-Men franchise, X-Men: Days of Future Past was the exception.

Not only was Wolverine part of the film, but he was its main character. The story united the original and younger X-Men timelines, allowing characters from both to appear and some to even interact. Thrown back into the past to prevent a dystopian future, Wolverine had a vital mission for mutants.

The movie scratched the itch for those who had been waiting years for Wolverine to lead an X-Men film again. It allowed Jackman to show that even surrounded by an entirely new cast of mutants, he could still function as the franchise’s lead star. Wolverine’s arc in the film and the poetic ending with Cyclops and Jean Grey alive were fantastic.

2

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine

Released In 2024 – ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool Franchise / MCU

In second place comes Jackman’s latest appearance as Wolverine. While it seemed like he had left the role behind years prior, Jackman never hid his desire to join the MCU. 2024’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine gave him an opportunity to do so in a major way.

Jackman played a new version of the character. The MCU’s Wolverine started as a mutant who had failed the rest of the X-Men. He was a disappointment to his world and was in a pretty dark place. By the end of the film, Wolverine became a hero and saved ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s universe.

Adding to that, the film marked Jackman’s first time wearing Wolverine’s iconic yellow X-Men suit from the comics. With plenty of emotional beats and bloody R-rated fights, Wolverine was serviced well by Marvel Studios. It stands to reason Jackman will return to the franchise after the film’s success.

1

Logan

Released In 2017 – Wolverine Trilogy

Finally, Hugh Jackman’s final movie in his Wolverine trilogy stands as his best appearance so far as the Marvel hero. Director James Mangold brought a rich, dystopian world to life in Logan. Jackman’s Wolverine is tired, older, and not at his best.

This setup leads to Jackman’s most vulnerable performance as Wolverine. Having to care for an elderly Charles Xavier, protect and raise a young X-23, and fight several enemies provide many challenges for Logan. Both the bloody action and quieter character moments sing.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“instagram”] = “null”;

Logan also serves as the perfect ending for Jackman’s Wolverine. He dies in a sacrifice that gives Dafne Keen’s X-23 and other mutant kids the chance to have a bright future. Logan’s death scene and his X-Men-inspired grave are some of the saddest superhero film moments. Now, the MCU can provide more Wolverine appearances with a Logan variant from the multiverse.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

• 
  
  

  
  

  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  Powered by

  
  

  
  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse