Why The Next Wolverine Actor Needs a Comic Book Costume

Logan marks the end of Hugh Jackman’s run as Wolverine. After appearing in nine films over the course of seventeen years, Jackman has the longest streak of any actor to play a single superhero role; but that streak also comes with another, less glamorous, title: “Longest running actor to never wear his superhero’s comic book costume.”

No, the live-action Wolverine has never appeared onscreen in any version of Wolverine’s many iconic comic book costumes. In fact, after the Matrix-style leather suits of the original X-Men trilogy went out of fashion, Jackman has almost never suited up at all to play Wolverine (with the exception of Days of Future Past‘s future scenes).

However, as the Wolverine mantel gets passed on to a new actor, the issue of Wolverine’s onscreen appearance must be addressed. Here’s Why The Next Wolverine Actor Needs a Comic Book Costume.

Fans Want It

We could stop the discussion right here, really; good luck to the filmmakers of the X-Men franchise if they recast Wolverine and don’t give him an official superhero costume to wear!

Jackman got away with appearing as a costume-less Wolverine (even in the era of superhero entertainment) solely because he already owned the role. He’s also just Hugh Jackman, and has that much clout. 

However, a new actor has to come in and earn the role of Wolverine for him/herself – with the added burden of having to replace Jackman. A costume would go a long way to both distinguish the new Wolverine from Jackman’s version, and the new actor with fans.

The X-Men Universe Needs It

The X-Men universe is going through a big evolution right now (pun), and as older stars pass on their roles to new actors, the newer versions of the X-Men are already sporting costumes that are a lot more in tradition with their comic book counterparts. 

The very last shot of X-Men: Apocalypse featured the rebooted X-Men characters (Cyclops, Jean Grae, Nightcrawler, etc…) all looking like their ’80s/90s comic book selves. But to fully give the X-Men cinematic universe a fresh chance to get things comic book “right,” we need to see that iconic Wolverine costume mixed in with the rest of the team. 

There Are Great Selections

Comicbook.com’s Matthew Mueller just wrote an extensive listing of all the best Wolverine costumes; suffice to say, there are quite a few to pick from. 

With the X-Men Cinematic Universe getting serious, it’s important to note that the 21st century has been especially good at giving us Wolverine comic book costumes that would work wonderfully on the big screen. 

For instance: Wolverine’s (or X-23’s) X-Force stealth infiltration costume has been a practical favorite for the movie universe – but there are even more ‘comic bookish’ versions that would also work, as well.

It’s Long Overdue

…At this point, Hugh Jackman’s streak as the longest running actor in a single superhero role is slightly ridiculous when you add the part that he’s never worn his comic book costume onscreen. 

Wolverine is one of the most well-known superheroes in the world – and yet, in seventeen years, we’ve never seen a live-action version of him in costume; it’s beyond ridiculous, at this point. Marvel Comics doesn’t even bother making the Old Man Logan character suit up, anymore, probably thanks to Jackman…

If we’ve seen talking trees and space raccoons and a Joker that looks like a South LA cholo, then there should be no fears left about creating a comic book version of Wolverine’s costume onscreen.

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Logan takes place in the year 2024, where mutant births have become extremely rare. The defenders of mutant kind, the X-Men, are long gone, and the only remains of them are an old and struggling Charles Xavier and a weary Logan. Logan’s vaunted healing factor has slowed, and at times doesn’t seem to work at all. When a young mutant needs his help, Logan has to unsheathe his claws once more. His job isn’t over yet.

Logan stars Hugh Jackman (Logan), Boyd Holbrook (Donald Pierce), Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Dafne Keen (Laura Kinney/X-23), Doris Morgado (Maria), Stephen Merchant (Caliban), Elizabeth Rodriguez (Gabriela), and Richard E. Grant (Dr. Zander Rice). James Mangold is directing and helped on the screenplay along with Scott Frank and Michael Green.

Logan is now playing in theaters.

MORE LOGAN

• The Wolverine Predicted Logan’s Ending
• X-23’s Creator Has A Spinoff Movie Pitch
• Logan Passes $100 Million Stateside Box Office
• Hugh Jackman Will Have A Say Over The Next Wolverine Actor