The only actor to play Reed Richards and Wolverine could come back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after a recent film tease, and it would allow the franchise to bring it full circle for the Marvel star. Mister Fantastic and Wolverine are now part of the MCU’s slate of projects. There have been a couple of versions of Reed in the MCU.

First, John Krasinski was cast as Earth-838’s Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a way of Marvel acknowledging the fan desire for him to play the hero. Recently, The Fantastic Four: First Steps debuted the team’s main versions in the MCU. Krasinski did not return, with Pedro Pascal taking over as Mister Fantastic for future MCU movies.

When it comes to Wolverine, there have also been two actors to play the character in the MCU. Both come from ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, one of the MCU’s biggest movies, which saw Henry Cavill cameo as a Wolverine variant, the Cavillrine, while Hugh Jackman returned as the movie’s main Wolverine, as well as several multiverse variants.

While multiple actors have played Reed Richards and Wolverine in the MCU, only one actor gave life to both Marvel characters. However, that did not happen in the MCU. Instead, it took place in a Marvel franchise prior to the shared universe’s creation. That said, the actor could come back for a full circle moment with an MCU star.

Ioan Gruffudd Is The Only Marvel Actor To Play Reed Richards & Wolverine

Ioan Gruffudd played Reed Richards in the 2000s Fantastic Four movies. While the films might have some issues, Gruffudd’s performance as Mister Fantastic is celebrated to this day. What many might not know is that Gruffudd has also given life to Wolverine in a way. In a deleted scene from 2005’s Fantastic Four, Reed’s face morphs into Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.

The scene sees Reed change his face to joke about how Sue Storm wanted a stronger man, which he views Jackman’s Wolverine as. While the scene was deleted, Gruffudd has commented on it. Speaking to Vulture, the Reed Richards actor said it was a thrill to pay homage to Jackman’s Wolverine, whom he loves, playing both Reed and Wolverine “for a brief second.”

Ioan Gruffud’s MCU Return Could Bring The Reed Richards & Wolverine Scene Full Circle

Perhaps that deleted scene might not be the last we get of Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. 2024’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine marked Jackman’s MCU debut. While Gruffudd did not appear in the movie, his version of Reed was mentioned by Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm. Reed knew about the MCU’s The Void, which he called a “metaphysical junkyard.”

While Jackman has no set project to return in, Ryan Reynolds’ ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool is reportedly in Avengers: Doomsday. Since they were last seen together in the MCU, Jackman’s Wolverine could return alongside him. That opens the door for Gruffudd’s Reed Richards to return in the Avengers movie, or in Secret Wars, to unite onscreen with Jackman’s Wolverine, bringing the deleted scene full circle.