Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine return sparks hope for Iron Man and Captain America comebacks
A new era for Marvel: Wolverine’s return
In a recent interview, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared some exciting news for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine in the upcoming film “Deadpool & Wolverine” has opened the door for the possible return of other beloved characters, such as Iron Man and Captain America. Feige emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of past storylines while exploring new possibilities.
“That’s the key, right? How do you do it in a way that maintains what has come before, and in a great way? And we’ve been spending, you know, the last two-plus years figuring that out for Wolverine,” Feige explained. “So, what’s to come? We’ll see. We’re just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is a great sign that it can be done — if great care is taken.”
The legacy of Iron Man and Captain America
Both Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans exited the MCU in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” a film that marked the end of an era. Downey’s Iron Man/Tony Stark met a heroic end, while Evans’ Captain America/Steve Rogers passed on his shield. These departures were significant, leaving fans wondering if they would ever see these characters again.
The challenge of bringing back iconic characters
Feige acknowledged the difficulty of bringing back characters without undermining their previous story arcs. He pointed to Jackman’s return as Wolverine as a successful example of how it can be done.
“We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,” Feige said about Iron Man’s death. “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine: A new iteration
Jackman, who first portrayed Wolverine in the X-Men films starting in 2000, had previously stated that he was done with the character after 2017’s “Logan.” However, the actor assured fans that his return in “Deadpool & Wolverine” would not interfere with the “Logan” timeline.
“It’s all because of this device they have in the Marvel world of moving around timelines,” Jackman explained. “Now we can go back because, you know, it’s science. So, I don’t have to screw with the ‘Logan’ timeline, which was important to me. And I think probably to the fans too.”
This approach allows Jackman to play a different iteration of Wolverine, opening the door for similar possibilities with Downey’s Iron Man and Evans’ Captain America.
Robert Downey Jr.’s openness to return
Interestingly, Downey has expressed a willingness to return to the MCU. In a recent interview, he was asked if he would consider coming back now that he is an Academy Award winner.
“Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA,” Downey said. ”That role chose me. And look, I always say, ‘Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige.’ It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.”
The Russo brothers’ perspective
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who helmed several MCU films including “Avengers: Endgame,” have also weighed in on the possibility of Downey’s return. They acknowledged the challenge but left the door open for creative solutions.
“I don’t know how they would do it,” Anthony said. ”I don’t know what the road to that would be.”
Joe added, ”I mean we closed that book so it would be up to them to figure out how to reopen it.”
What’s next for the MCU?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to evolve, with “Deadpool & Wolverine” set to hit theaters on July 26. This film not only marks the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine but also sets the stage for potential comebacks of other iconic characters. For fans, the excitement lies in the unknown possibilities and the creative ways Marvel might bring back their favorite heroes.
As we look forward to the future of the MCU, one thing is clear: the legacy of characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Wolverine will continue to inspire and captivate audiences. The journey of these heroes may not be over, and their stories may yet have new chapters to unfold.