Summary

  • Deadpool 3 will be an official entry in the MCU, filled with fourth wall breaking and absurdist meta-humor.
  • Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will don the classic blue and yellow outfit for the first time in live action, hinting at a possible multiverse storyline.
  • The subtle difference in Wolverine's claw placement in the set photos may suggest that a different version of the character, possibly from the 1990s X-Men cartoon, will appear in Deadpool 3.

Deadpool 3 received a massive spike in popularity and hype when set photos and videos revealed a comic-accurate costume for Wolverine, and a subtle detail on his suit may hint towards a wild MCU cameo. Despite Deadpool and Deadpool 2 being created by Fox, Disney's acquisition of the company - including its film rights for several Marvel characters - means that the third installment will be an official entry in the MCU. Of course, Deadpool being who he is, the character's introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is poised to be filled with fourth wall breaking and absurdist meta-humor.

While several Fox characters are already confirmed for Deadpool 3's cast, the most exciting is undoubtedly Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. A fan-favorite since the original X-Men in 2000, the movie will see Logan reunite with Reynold's Deadpool after working with a different version of the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. More exciting yet is that Wolverine will finally don his classic blue and yellow outfit for the first time ever in live action, though one detail on the suit hints that its wearer may not be who it seems.

Hugh Jackman Has Teased Multiple Wolverines In Deadpool 3

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Deadpool 3 Closeup

Given that Deapool 3 is officially part of the MCU Phase 5, it makes sense that the movie will reportedly be deeply tied to the multiverse. This almost seems like a necessity if Deadpool and company plan to hop from one cinematic universe to another, and comments from Hugh Jackman seem to tease he may be playing multiple multiversal variants of Wolverine. This would also track with the idea that Deadpool and Wolverine will be traveling the multiverse as the MCU has strongly leaned into the idea of variants in properties like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Loki, and more.

Jackman's comments about Wolverine being a "double role" could refer to him playing the same character at different points in the Fox movie timeline. However, and perhaps more interestingly, it could also tease live-action appearances by different Wolverines altogether. On theory, made more likely by Wolverine's suit reveal, posits that the classic-suit Wolverine seen in Deadpool 3 is actually a live-action version of the character from the 1990s X-Men cartoon.

Wolverine's Deadpool 3 Suit Has An Important Difference From Previous X-Men Movies

Images of Wolverine's claws from the comics and movies.

While Wolverine's classic yellow superhero suit is clearly a departure from the casual wear or black leather uniform the hero has worn in previous cinematic outings, a subtle detail on his hands hints that the pictured Logan may not be the same person that starred in several X-Men movies. Simply put, the metal "claw ducts" in the Deadpool 3 set photos are firmly on the back of Wolverine's hands, similar to where they are in most comics and animated X-Men projects. This is a departure how Wolverine's claws come out of his hands in Fox's movies.

Jackman's previous outings as Wolverine featured thick, steak-knife-like claws that broke from the way the character was traditionally drawn and animated. Instead of coming out of the back of Logan's hand, the X-Men movies showed them sticking out straight forward from between the finger knuckles. The difference isn't huge, but the character's live-action claw design has been consistent enough that the change raises questions.

Why A Live-Action Animated Series Wolverine Makes Sense For Deadpool 3

The X-Men as seen in their 90s cartoon

Of course, it's possible that the new look is simply a creative choice made for the movie that will be hand-waved away as "just the way Wolverine is now." However, after not wearing his classic suit for several films, Wolverine finally appearing in bright yellow seems like an odd change to make for no reason. If Hugh Jackman is indeed playing multiple characters in Deadpool 3, and if the new suit seen in set photos does indeed indicate another Wolverine besides the one already seen in Fox's X-Men movies, a few different factors combine to make the Logan from X-Men: The Animated Series a likely candidate.

One reason Deapool 3 may be interested in bringing an animated character to live-action is that it's one of the few multiverse stunts that hasn't already been done. While crossing over characters from seemingly disparate franchises was once unprecedented and exciting, it's now been done several times to varying levels of success. If the MCU and DCU have already crossed franchises, traveled timelines, and merged movies and tv, Deadpool 3 may be looking to do something new and fresh to leave its mark on the multiverse saga. Across the Spider-Verse got close with its Venom universe cameo, but Deadpool can complete the stunt in full.

Additionally, including Wolverine from X-Men: The Animated Series in Deadpool 3 would be perfect timing for some Marvel cross-promotion. In addition to upcoming MCU Phase 5 and 6 movies and live-action shows, Marvel is also developing a true sequel to the X-Men's beloved cartoon from the 90s. Dubbed X-Men '97, the show will be a direct follow-up to The Animated Series and will follow most of the original show's main mutants. Deadpool 3 having Wade Wilson briefly visit the animated universe and pull out Logan could be a short introduction to the show for audiences that aren't already familiar.

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