The X-Men seem likely to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following licensing issues being cleared up by 2019's Disney/Fox merger. Inevitably, talk among fans has turned to who might play the much-loved mutants if/when the movie universes cross over.
Now, the first X-Men film is over 20 years old at this stage, which sadly means that some actors who have been synonymous with the franchise have moved on.
One of the franchise's main stars has already gone on record to say who he'd like to see him - Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman. And who's he got his eye on as a replacement? Why, none other than Tom Hardy.
Unlike characters such as Magneto, Professor X, Nightcrawler and others, Wolverine has so far been played by just one actor since Bryan Singer'soriginal X-Men movie landed in 2000.
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That's going to change, however, with Jackman saying goodbye to the character in 2017's Logan. Speaking to MTV back in 2015, ahead of that movie's release, Jackman answered who he thought could replace him.
He said: "That's a great question. I haven't given it a lot of thought. I've been asked the question a lot and I'm always like, 'I don't want to make it too easy on the studio to replace me.'
"I've still got one more to do. I'm sure they're already talking about it, that some actor out there they've already said, 'Shhhh... Keep it quiet but we want you next.'
"He's younger than me for sure, I think Tom Hardy would be great."
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That's a hell of a suggestion there.
The only thing muddying that is that Hardy has since gone on to play Eddie Brock in the 2018 MCU film Venom and has kept the role for the follow-up Venom: Let There Be Carnage, due out later this year.
Yeah... we reckon he's probably out.
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It was reported earlier in the year that Marvel Studios is planning a big project to bring the X-Men into the MCU. Scant details are known as yet, but a film titled The Mutants is reportedly in the works.
The Illuminerdi reported that the Marvel Studios-led project - produced by the company's CEO Kevin Feige - is currently being developed and intended to be a reboot of the X-Men franchise.
The distinctive title of the project suggests a potential departure from what's gone before, with one possibility being that X-Men as a name isn't really inclusive in this day and age.
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The tweak would also allow them to go full reboot with a brand new cast, should they so wish.
At any rate, it's the most notable move in bringing the X-Men into the MCU since Disney gained the rights to it back in 2019.
Now let's see if Hugh Jackman gets his wish.
Featured Image Credit: 20th Century FoxTopics: TV and Film, Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, tom hardy, Marvel