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15 Actors Who Could Play Wolverine Just as Well as Hugh Jackman... Maybe

Could anyone else play Wolverine?

By Tyler S. CallawayPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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Recently, Hugh Jackman made it public that the third Wolverine film would be his last. While it did not come as a big shock, it still has hit fans very hard. Hugh Jackman has absolutely owned the role, and made it near impossible for Fox to ever recast the character.

But seeing as Wolverine is an all but immortal character who does not age, recasting is inevitable, unless Fox wants to completely kill off Wolverine. But by all accounts, it seems that they would prefer to keep Wolverine alive after Hugh Jackman.

Who could play the character, though? While I do not personally believe that there is an actor who could take on the role and do it just as well if not better than Jackman, I do believe it will be hard to do. But there has got to at least be one other person in the world who could play this character just as well as Jackman.

I am at least going to attempt to compile a list of actors who could come in behind Hugh Jackman and put on an admirable performance.

Let's get started...

15. Mark Wahlberg

I am going ahead and predicting some smart mouth in the comments will say "I stopped reading after Mark Wahlberg." Yes, I get it, most comic book fans freak out at the thought of Mark Wahlberg being a superhero for whatever reason. The fact of the matter is though, if you take away the Boston accent, Wahlberg would be perfect to take on a grizzled tough guy like Wolverine. He also has the look, as well as short stature of Wolverine.

14. Ian Bohen

This is my only true unknown actor on the list, but he is the only one that has actually played something of a wolverine. He is best known for his role as Peter on Teen Wolf. He plays a brooding werewolf with anger issues very well, and I could easily see him being a capable Wolverine.

13. Jude Law

Jude Law

If this choice makes you wince a bit, then it is probably because you have never seen Law in some of his more gritty roles. Law may not scream Wolverine when you think of him, but neither did Hugh Jackman before X-Men.

12. Liam Hemsworth

Hemsworth is one big role away from super stardom. Why not join his brother on the Marvel side of things? Even if it is not connected to Marvel at all really. Hemsworth is a great action star, and I could see him putting his own spin on the character that fans will enjoy.

11. Norman Reedus

The Walking Dead star was actually a debate for me to put on this list. I believe he could do a good job with the character, he definitely plays a great tough guy. But can he be a leading man in a blockbuster film? That will need to be seen.

10. Jason Statham

Jason Statham

Statham is possibly one of the most badass action stars on the planet. Now, of course, Wolverine is not British, so Statham would have to work on his American accent, which is something I have yet to see from him. But if he can pull off a decent accent, I do not have a doubt he could play the role.

9. Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf

Hate on LaBeouf all you want. He is a solid actor, and could play this character fairly well. If I were Fox though, I would be nervous about handing over the keys to my franchise to a guy with such a questionable track record.

8. Jon Bernthal

Two actors from Fury in a row. Bernthal has the look, and could easily can play a character like Wolverine. He may not have nearly the acting ability that Jackman did, and like with Reedus I question his leading man potential, but he is such a good fit that I would give him a chance.

7. Aaron Paul

Who doesn't love Jesse from Breaking Bad? His first outing as a big action star in Need for Speed, was a flop. But I still believe he is a great actor that deserves another shot at a big role. He has the height to play a stouter Wolverine, and could bring his own spin to the character.

6. Keanu Reeves

Seeing Reeves in John Wick reminded me just how great of an actor, and action star, he is. Reeves and Jackman's acting styles are so different though, that it does make it hard for me to see Reeves taking over the role, but it would still be interesting to see.

5. Jake Gyllenhaal

I watched Nightcrawler, and I honestly was blown away by his performance. He is an amazing actor that deserves much more recognition than he gets. I would love to see him play Wolverine, and do whatever he pleases with the character.

4. Sam Worthington

His career did not take off like many expected after Avatar. But he is still a good actor, who fits the Wolverine bill. He plays brooding and hard headed very well.

3. Karl Urban

Urban got his crack at the comic book genre with the under performing Dredd. He still continues to get plenty of big roles and delivers. He has the acting chops and even resembles Jackman a bit.

2. Charlie Hunnam

Charlie Hunnam is an amazing actor that is on the verge of super stardom. But no incarnation of Wolverine ever had blonde hair. Whether he dyed his hair or not is irrelevant to me though. He could play this character in his sleep, and I honestly believe he would do it just as well, if not better than Jackman.

1. Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is everywhere. And with the recent release of Mad Max: Fury Road, it seems his star will continue to rise. Not only is he the perfect actor for the character, he is the perfect build. Fans have wanted a shorter Wolverine more reminiscent to the comics,and Tom Hardy could rip him straight off the page. His acting ability is what truly makes him my #1 choice to take over as Wolverine. Like Hunnam, I believe Hardy could take the role and make it his own and do it just as well, if not better than Hugh Jackman.

No matter who plays Wolverine next, he will have an uphill battle to make the character his own. Not just because of how amazing Hugh Jackman was as Wolverine, but because fans will constantly compare him to Jackman instead of just enjoying the performance in and of itself. I hope that if Wolverine is recast, fans will give the new actor a chance and enjoy it.

Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine

No matter who plays Wolverine after Hugh Jackman though, I think we as fans can appreciate all that Jackman did for the character. He was amazing to watch, and I am sure fans will never forget his performances, no matter who takes over the part after him.

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About the Creator

Tyler S. Callaway

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