In a dramatic reversal of his long-held position, Hugh Jackman has declared himself open to returning as Wolverine, just months after his latest portrayal of the iconic superhero helped generate an astonishing £1 billion at the global box office.
The 'Never Again' Promise Abandoned
The 57-year-old actor, who has now played the clawed mutant across ten separate films, had previously been adamant that 2017's Logan would be his final outing. He had even declared the role finished back in 2015, believing the character's emotional death in Logan provided a fitting conclusion.
However, the monumental success of 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine, which became the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, has prompted a significant change of heart. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman directly addressed the possibility of a future return.
'Maybe. I'm never saying 'never' ever again,' Jackman told the host. 'I did mean it until the day I changed my mind. I did mean it for quite a few years.'
A Decade of Wolverine and an AI Future
Jackman first donned the adamantium claws in 2000's X-Men, a role that launched his Hollywood career. The combined box office revenue of the X-Men films he has fronted now stands at a colossal £2.69 billion, making it one of the most lucrative film franchises of all time.
Reflecting on his decade-long tenure, the actor joked about the potential for his digital legacy, quipping, 'I have done ten films now, so I think they have enough for an AI version of me!'
Beyond the Yellow Spandex
The Graham Norton appearance also served to promote Jackman's latest project, the film Song Sung Blue, in which he stars alongside Kate Hudson, 46. The pair play a Neil Diamond tribute act, with Jackman heaping praise on his co-star.
'Whatever expectations I had of Kate, she came in and blew straight past them,' he said. 'She is a force of nature and honestly it is one of the best performances you will ever see. She is extraordinary.'
Hudson revealed that her parents, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, were moved to tears after watching the intense love story, a reaction she and Jackman shared during their first viewing.
The actor was also joined on the famous sofa by Ben Stiller, 59, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 39, for the episode, which airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday.
In his personal life, Jackman recently made his red carpet debut with new girlfriend Sutton Foster at the AFI Fest premiere of Song Sung Blue in Hollywood, confirming a relationship that began earlier this year.
