Disney is looking for a new actor to Wolverine, putting to bed any rumours that Hugh Jackman will be making a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Producer Lauren Shuler Donner said that Jackman was 'wise' to retire from the role, hinting that a younger actor would likely be cast, but didn't rule out a possible chance for him to appear as an 'older Wolverine'.
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Speaking at a Television Critics Association panel, she said: "Hugh, just the physicality of it all, just to bulk up. This man worked so hard to bulk up, would get up at four in the morning to bulk and eat protein meals every two hours because his natural state, they used to call him Worm when he was a kid.
"So, his natural state is a very skinny guy. Once you reach a certain age, the body just won't go anymore. I think he was wise to say, 'I'm at that point. I can't do it'. Now, that doesn't mean he can't come back as older Wolverine. You never know. Future Wolverine, you never know."
When pressed about the search for a new star, she responded: "I don't know what Kevin [Feige, Marvel Studios' president] is thinking honestly. I don't even think Kevin knows.
"I think Kevin's still dealing with this wealth of characters and trying to make sense of them."
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Jackman first hit the big screen as Wolverine/Logan all the way back in 2000 and has starred in 10 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Aussie star revealed that it was Jerry Seinfield who inspired him to retire from being Wolverine, speaking to Variety, Jackman said: "What happened was I had a dinner with Jerry Seinfeld, who's a friend of mine. I was asking him about the end of the series. I said, 'How did you decide?'.
"And, long story, he kind of said, 'Look, I've always believed, creatively, you should never spend everything... because it's almost Herculean to start up again. You should always have something in the tank. Leave the party before it gets too late kind of theory. And then somehow it spurs you into the next thing'.
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"As he was talking, I went home, and I said to Deb [Jackman's wife] on my way home in a cab... 'This is the last one'. She goes, 'What?' I said, 'I just know this is the last one'.
"I woke up the next morning with this very strong idea, which Jim Mangold [the director of Logan] and I had been working on, of treating it not like a comic book movie in any way, treating him not like a superhero but as a human being who's lived a life of violence and let's make a movie about the ramifications of violence.
"I was thinking The Wrestler. I was thinking Unforgiven... The moment I'd had that thought I was supercharged, super excited, absolutely sure I'd never play it again and very nervous."
Featured Image Credit: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Topics: TV and Film, Hugh Jackman, Marvel