The MCU is set to introduce the mutant superhero team X-Men after the next two Avengers films, but it may not be with the face of the movie franchise. A new rumor states that Marvel Studios will not introduce its version of Wolverine, instead opting to feature X-Men without him. After co-starring in Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman is reportedly set to portray the character until well after Avengers: Secret Wars, where he is widely expected to return as Wolverine.

According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios is currently planning to move forward with X-Men in the MCU after the next phase, but without Wolverine. Richtman says that he hears “the current treatment for the MCU X-Men reboot does not include Wolverine, at all.” Moreover, he states that the MCU is modeling their mutant team similar to the popular X-Men 97 animated series, with Jackman potentially playing Wolverine until after Secret Wars. Kevin Feige had previously teased they were going to introduce lesser-known X-Men characters into the pop culture lexicon, so not including Wolverine as the main focus adds up. Richtman stated on his Patreon:

“Rest of the team is similar to the ‘X-Men 97’ cartoon plus some. But no Wolverine because Hugh Jackman is sticking around for now. Likely even post ‘Secret Wars.'”

Deadpool & Wolverine May Have Just Changed the MCU For Good

With Hugh Jackman still playing an alternate universe Wolverine in the ending of Deadpool & Wolverine, it is expected he will play a significant role in the next Avengers event films. Secret Wars is the obvious answer, as it will likely feature a host of familiar Marvel characters and actors for one last bout of nostalgia. Unfortunately, it seems like Jackman is the only former X-Men actor with substantial rumors about his MCU future. Moreover, Deadpool & Wolverine hits audiences over the head with the actor playing the character for much longer. As Deadpool stated, “They’re gonna make him do this ’till he’s 90!”

Despite ending his Fox-Marvel era run with James Mangold’s Logan, Jackman would have been pretty upset if he had not come back for Deadpool & Wolverine. He clearly loves playing the character and, much like the Wolverine, age has not affected his passion for the role. It’s not shocking to learn that he could be playing Wolverine a few more times, especially after Avengers: Secret Wars.

“I would have been upset. Every cell in my body was like, ‘I really want to do it.’ So I would have been heartbroken, I would have cried, I would have been angry. I probably would have ended the friendship, and filed for custody of his children.”

Deadpool & Wolverine
is currently in theaters.