It is rumoured that after the events of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars the MCU is going to be soft-rebooted as part of the beginning of the Mutant Saga and the long-awaited introduction of the Mutants in the MCU. But even since before the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, fans have been speculating what hot-and-trending actor should play their favorite member of the X-Men. But about one of the members, and perhaps the most famous and popular of them all, it seems it's been rather difficult to find a good fancast. That of course being the Wolverine, who ever since the year of 2000 and the first X-Men movie has been played by what I consider one of the best actors of our time; Hugh Jackman. After initially departing from the role in 2017 with the movie Logan and the character dying, Hugh Jackman was reintroduced in the role in last year's Deadpool & Wolverine in a more comic-accurate version of the character from another timeline, stealing the hearts of the fans all over again. Especially with the comment by Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool that Marvel will let Hugh do this 'til he's 90, fans have been wondering if Hugh Jackman will be staying around in the role or if a possible last return in Avengers: Secret Wars will be his definitive departure of the character. On the other hand, a lot of fans have been waiting to see another actor to put on the cowl and claws, with names like Daniel Radcliff (yes, mr. Harry Potter himself), Jensen Ackles, Henry Cavill (who got to step into the role for a brief cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine) and Taron Egerton mentioned to be the ideal MCU Wolverine. All very talented and beloved actors, but can they fill up the big shoes that Hugh will be leaving behind? That's a concern I had, and I've not been the only one. On fancasting site mycast.io I've constantly seen Hugh's name among the others. Clearly people don't want to let go of Hugh's Wolverine, especially not after his praised return in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Now that's where that second image comes in. I was scrolling through Pinterest and found this fanart of Taron Egerton as Wolverine. But as you've likely noticed by now, Taron's hair in the image is blonde. Now I don't think I have to explain to this community what a blonde-hair Wolverine means: Jimmy Hudson. And that's where I experienced a little 'eureka' moment. What if the new MCU Wolverine after Avengers: Secret Wars will be played by a new actor, but will not be James Howlett/Logan but rather Jimmy Hudson? I'll do you one even better. What if the new MCU Wolverine is Jimmy Hudson, the son of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine as seen in Deadpool & Wolverine? From what I've seen from comics, I'm more of a movie guy but I've read Jimmy in the TVA comics series that ties in with the MCU-established Time Variance Authority, he behaves just like his father would. So he would carry that same energy on-screen, without feeling like he's entirely stepping into the shoes of Hugh Jackman. With Hugh's return in Deadpool & Wolverine, he made it even more difficult to feel the shoes he left behind for his succesor. By making it an identical character in terms of powers, behavior and role inside the team, but not making it the same character from the comics, it becomes easier to succeed Hugh as Wolverine. By even making that direct connection to Hugh's Wolverine, especially because I doubt much of what the Multiverse Saga set up will be left behind once we go into the Mutant Saga, you make that transition to a new Wolverine easier for die-hard fans of Hugh's Wolverine.
I honestly think this is what Marvel should do, because you don't entirely recast this (too) iconic role but you still come with a succesor to Hugh's Wolverine once he's out. They could even set this up by Hugh's Wolverine having a girlfriend on Earth-10005 revealed in Doomsday or Secret Wars, or a possible fourth Deadpool movie, that way paving the way for Jimmy Hudson to appear in a Mutant Saga post-reboot MCU. But I also do understand the desire to get a new James Howlett/Logan. If Marvel wanted to play safe, they should go with Jimmy Hudson as Hugh's Wolverine's son. A James Howlett recast is the more realistic scenario though, but I thought it'd be fun to explore this scenario with you guys! Let me know what you guys would love to see and advice Marvel to do!
