Hugh Jackman is returning as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3,’ Ryan Reynolds says
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It’s finally happening: Longtime frenemies Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are reuniting onscreen for “Deadpool 3.”
Reynolds announced Tuesday on social media that Jackman will return as Wolverine for the highly anticipated Marvel film, coming to theaters Sept. 6, 2024.
“We’ve been working very hard on the next ‘Deadpool’ film for a good long while now,” Reynolds said in a video to fans. “I’ve had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special.
“We need to stay true to the character, find new depth, motivation, meaning. Every ‘Deadpool’ needs to stand out and stand apart. It’s been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside, and I … have nothing. It’s completely empty up here and terrifying.”
Enter Jackman, who casually strolls into the frame and munches on an apple — without glancing at Reynolds or the camera — as the “Free Guy” star continues, “But we did have one idea.”
“Hey, Hugh,” he says. “You want to play Wolverine one more time?”
“Yeah,” Jackman replies. “Sure, Ryan.”
Reynolds’ announcement comes about five years after Jackman last played Wolverine in “Logan” and allegedly retired from portraying the character. Though the Australian actor hasn’t officially appeared in any “Deadpool” movies before, his likeness is somewhat of a running joke in the franchise.
On- and off-screen, Reynolds and Jackman have been engaged in a pretend rivalry that dates all the way back to 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which features a fight sequence between their two characters. Notably, “Deadpool 3” will be the first film in the saga distributed by Disney via 20th Century Studios, which was previously owned by Fox.
“Hard keeping my mouth sewn shut about this one,” Reynolds captioned the Jackman casting announcement, which racked up more than a million likes across Twitter and Instagram in fewer than two hours.
Jackman also shared the video with the caption, “Yeah, sure.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.