Hugh Jackman sends mixed signals when asked about whether his return as Wolverine could extend into MCU movies or shows beyond just Deadpool 3.

Hugh Jackman addresses whether his Wolverine will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after Deadpool 3. After Wolverine’s official entry into the MCU was revealed last year, both Jackman and the Merc with a Mouth himself, Ryan Reynolds, have given teases as to how Wolverine will be incorporated into the film. The debut of X-Men characters, especially Wolverine, into the MCU has been long-awaited and long-hyped, leading some to believe Jackman’s Wolverine will continue to appear after Deadpool 3.

Jackman now addresses Wolverine’s MCU future, and his answer is the vaguest he has given yet. When questioned by Empire Magazine whether he would return after Deadpool 3, Jackman responds that he “imagine[s] every movie is a one and done.” At the same time, he shut down rumors that Taron Egerton would take up Jackman’s Wolverine role after him, suggesting he isn’t quite ready to think about succession. Check out the full statement from Jackman below:

“I imagine every movie is a one and done. Taron is one of the most talented actors out there. And you can see his range is incredible. But he’s just got to cool his heels a little bit.”

When Jackman’s Wolverine Could Return After Deadpool

While Jackman does not directly commit to more MCU involvement here, he does not deny it either. Just viewing Deadpool 3 as a “one and done” does not make it so; in fact, Logan was thought to be the grand finale to Wolverine. Even though the character had a heroic final fight, ending in his death, somehow the MCU is managing to loop Jackman back in. With this in mind, it does not seem out of the question that the pattern might continue beyond Deadpool 3, and bring Wolverine back for the long term.

Because of the MCU’s hefty slate of films ahead, Jackman would have a lot of opportunity to be incorporated back into the franchise. Deadpool 3 is currently slated for November 2024, leaving four MCU features after it in the lineup: Blade 2024; Marvel’s Fantastic Four; Avengers: The Kang Dynasty; and Avengers: Secret Wars. Given they are the furthest out and have the vaguest plot details so far, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars seem the most likely films for a potential Wolverine return. The Avengers themselves are reforming in Phase 5, so it is not out of the question for them to bring Jackman’s Wolverine along the way.

Knowing the MCU, however, it is also fully possible that Jackman’s Wolverine, or Jackman himself, could make a cameo in any of these films on the MCU slate. The MCU is not above small reappearances of major characters, or huge actors playing small roles in their films. Natalie Portman appeared as Jane Foster for about two minutes of Avengers: Endgame, for instance. Jackman’s cameo return would not be as exciting or thorough as his Deadpool 3 role, but nonetheless could mean that Wolverine could come out of retirement once again.