Hugh Jackman Explains How the Original Deadpool Was Inspiration to Play Wolverine Again

Deadpool & Wolverine star Hugh Jackman revealed that watching 2016’s Deadpool motivated him to step back in the iconic X-Men character’s shoes for the upcoming MCU blockbuster.

“I was on my way — I was just driving — and literally just like a bolt of lightning came this knowing, deep in my gut, that I wanted to do this film with Ryan . . . for Deadpool and Wolverine to come together,” Jackman said in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes.

Jackman added that despite his initial swan song as Wolverine in James Mangold’s Logan, he could not let go of the thought of teaming up with his real-life friend Ryan Reynolds on the big screen. “I swear to you, when I said I was done I really thought I was done. But, in the back of my head, ever since I saw Deadpool 1, I was like ‘Those two characters together . . .’ I knew it: I knew the fans wanted it. Ever since I put on the claws fans have talked about these two, so that had always been there, but I just knew.”

Deadpool & Wolverine marks many milestones for Jackman. Not only does the movie mark his introduction into the MCU, but it also will see him finally don Wolverine’s classic yellow and blue costume from the comics. Additionally, it is the second R-rated Marvel movie that Jackman has taken part in, something that surprised his co-star Reynolds when Marvel Studios allowed the Deadpool threequel to push the violence and raunchy comedy to the max.

“I hope it doesn’t sound condescending, I’m really proud of them for doing this. I think it’s a huge step for them,” Reynolds said. “I mean, it adds a whole other color to this kaleidoscopic wheel that is that company and the different people that they have been entertaining forever.”

What is Deadpool & Wolverine about?

The official synopsis for Deadpool & Wolverine reads: “In Marvel Studios ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, Wade Wilson is confronted by the TVA, which pulls him from a seemingly quiet life and results in Deadpool being unleashed.” Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the movie co-stars Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Jennifer Garner, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Stefan Kapičić, Rob Delaney, and Matthew Macfadyen. Franchise screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick return alongside Zeb Wells, penning the film from a previous draft by Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin.

Deadpool & Wolverine is scheduled for release on July 26th.