X-Men: Tom Hardy stuns as Wolverine in jaw-dropping image

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are excited to see Wolverine to make his debut in the MCU, and this amazing image of Tom Hardy in the role showcases why.

The X-Men are coming to the grand stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We still don’t know when, and we still don’t know how. But we do know that it will happen at some point or another (although a more recent update suggests that it may not be as soon as fans initially hoped).

There was an abundance of rumors last year, many of which suggested that Logan could return to the silver screen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That didn’t actually happen, highlighting that we must take all rumors with a pinch of salt. But with both Ms. Marvel and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever making mutants a reality in the MCU and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law directly referencing the X-Men (and Logan), Wolverine’s arrival could be imminent.

As for who could end up playing the claw-wielding mutant Wolverine, that’s a question that may or may not possess more than one answer. Hugh Jackman is confirmed to reprise his role as Fox’s Wolverine in Deadpool 3 (which looks to be set in the MCU). The question is: Will he be the MCU’s full-time Wolverine after that, or is this just a one-and-done cameo return to give fans the Logan/Deadpool crossover they have been waiting for?

If Marvel and Jackman opt for the latter, we could find ourselves in need of a new Wolverine for the MCU. If that ends up being the case, there is one actor who would be sensational in the role.

What Tom Hardy might look like as Wolverine in the MCU

This awesome artwork comes from digital artist JPH Photoshop, who shared it on Instagram, showcasing what the one and only Tom Hardy would look like in the role of Wolverine/Logan. The stunning image sees the actor donning a comic-accurate yellow and black costume while also wearing the character’s signature mask – something the Fox version of the character didn’t have in any of his appearances throughout that long-running franchise.

It’s safe to say that Marvel fans would be thrilled if Wolverine showed up in an outfit like this when he debuts in the MCU.

Is Tom Hardy playing Wolverine in the MCU?

Tom Hardy has been at the top of many Logan fan-castings over the years but his role as another Marvel character in another franchise may make landing the role as Wolverine unlikely. Yes, we are talking about Venom – a franchise which is now gearing up for its third movie.

Another thing that may make it unlikely is Hugh Jackman’s confirmed return as his version of the character in Deadpool 3. Again, this might not be a full-time thing, but for now, he is the current Wolverine in the MCU. Heck, the first photos of him back in the role were released just before production shut down during the strikes, confirming that the actor will finally don the iconic yellow suit that Wolverine is known for wearing in the comics (and in his various animated adaptations).

Hardy is no stranger to starring in comic book and superhero movies. After all, he played the intimidating Batman villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises opposite Christian Bale and, again, he also plays the title character in Sony’s Marvel franchise Venom, and it set to reprise the role in the upcoming  Venom 3.

A remarkable performer, Hardy would be more than capable of bringing a larger-than-life character like Wolverine to the screen if he were to appear in the MCU as the beloved mutant.

When could the X-Men debut in the MCU?

It’s no longer a question of “if” the X-Men are on their way to the MCU, but “when” they will debut. Phase Four opened the door for the team of superheroes through an abundance of references to mutants, and nods to the X-Men themselves (including a potential Wolverine sighting in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, and the arrival of Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness).

There are plenty of titles in which we could see the X-Men make their debut in the future, but it’s likely that we’ll get more teases of their arrival throughout Phase Five. Moreover, when Deadpool 3 comes out in move theaters, we’ll get more answers about whether Jackman’s returning Wolverine will be considered canon to Earth-616, or one of the many variants in the multiverse (much like we saw with Stewart’s Charles Xavier). In fact, Stewart has been “told to standby” about a potential return in that movie.

Yes, a recent update suggests that the main MCU iteration of the X-Men won’t be a part of the Multiverse Saga but that doesn’t rule out cameos from recognizable characters (like Jackman’s returning Wolverine and Stewart’s Professor X).

If we do see another Wolverine outside of Jackman’s, it goes without saying that fans would be thrilled if Tom Hardy were to play the legendary role.