For decades, superhero fans couldn't help but watch as the Marvel Cinematic Universe set the stage for big crossovers, yet the X-Men couldn't participate in any of them. With Disney owning the licensing rights for Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the mutants being under the Fox umbrella, it seemed like the two groups of characters would never meet on the big screen. Fortunately, our dreams finally came true with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine.
For the first time in cinematic history, we witnessed anti-heroes like Logan and Wade Wilson cross paths with fan-favorites such as Blade and the Human Torch. But the cherry on top? That was merely the beginning.
The X-Men are set to make their proper MCU debut in Avengers: Doomsday, with icons such as Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Ian McKellen's Magneto set to make a comeback. Furthermore, the group's upcoming movie will be helmed by Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier and will be released after the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. But if that weren't enough, one of the most popular mutants ever created will be the star of his own standalone project, too.
A new Wolverine project is reportedly in the works at Marvel
According to renowned insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel is working on a solo Wolverine project, which will be released in the MCU's next saga. Unfortunately, it wasn't specified if it will be developed as a TV series, a Disney+ Special Presentation, or a theatrical movie. However, given the hero's popularity, the latter would seem like the most likely possibility. Now, the only question remaining is: who will play the role of Logan?
Avengers: Doomsday will feature X-Men variants from the Fox universe portrayed by their original actors. That means that if Wolverine were to make an appearance in the highly anticipated crossover, he would most likely be played by Hugh Jackman. However, the MCU as a whole is expected to undergo a soft-reboot after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has already confirmed some characters will be recast afterward. So, could we see someone else wear the iconic yellow and blue costume?
It has also been reported that Marvel intends to keep Hugh Jackman around as Wolverine even after the release of Avengers: Secret Wars, much to fans' surprise. Seeing as mutants are intended to be one of the main focuses of the next MCU saga, many suspected new, younger blood would take over the roles of the X-Men so that they could share the big screen for many years to come. However, the decision to keep Hugh around might indicate that he might be a mentor, educating the new generation of heroes.
Perhaps Marvel could make Dafne Keen's X-23 one of the main faces of the MCU moving forward, while Wolverine helps her become a better hero, mimicking the arc of Hank Pym and Scott Lang. That way, if Hugh Jackman were to retire from the role, he'd have a worthy successor to follow in his footsteps. But until that day arrives, Marvel would surely try to make the most out of the current iteration of Logan, which is why it isn't surprising to know he could get his own solo project.
It seems unlikely that Marvel will unveil the full slate of its next saga before the release of Secret Wars. With that in mind, it will take a while before we know what the future holds for Wolverine. However, rumor has it that he will indeed make an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, and might even get to fight Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man. Big things are on the horizon for Logan, and we wouldn't want it any other way.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on Dec. 18, 2026.