5 Actors Who Would Be Perfect to Play the Next Wolverine

• It won’t be long before Hugh Jackman sheds his claws and is done with Wolverine for good.
• Aging actors such as Luke Evans and Karl Urban could offer an older take on Logan.
• X-Men could also opt to start from scratch with younger actors like Richard Madden.

Hugh Jackman seems to be officially done with Wolverine. He gave X-Men and Marvel fans a proper send-off in the extremely underrated Logan, and announced that the claws would retract for good.

Ryan Reynolds has since poked at home for a comeback of sorts, and I’m not sure I’d totally rule it out.

However, at a high level, Jackman’s Wolverine has been retired. Before long, an X-Men reboot of some kind will be in order, and one way or another, a new actor will play Wolverine.

If you find yourself wondering who the next Wolverine will be, I have five options I think would be amazing on the big screen.

Luke Evans

The first question when trying to predict who will play Wolverine next is what age we’re looking at. Hugh Jackman effectively played this character into his late 40’s, but it stands to reason a reboot would want to start fresh.

Luke Evans has the looks and stature to crush this role. He’s been Dracula, he was Gaston, and he’s no stranger to violence and/or action.

The dark features and swagger are there, too. The problem? He’s already 42 years old.

This would be a grizzled and aged version of Wolverine, which to be fair, is kind of the best Wolverine. It just might not be the direction the studios are going in.

If Hollywood wants a younger face, Evans is out. If they wanted a seasoned vet taking on the torch, he’s a real threat.

Richard Madden

Madden is one of the hottest names in Hollywood right now. He could have had an amazing run in Game of Thrones if he hadn’t been unceremoniously bumped off, and he flashed brilliance in Bodyguard.

In fact, his acting chops earned him a Golden Globe win.

Meet our Spring cover star Richard Madden, the onetime “Game of Thrones” fan favorite and Golden Globe–winning standout on “Bodyguard.” To celebrate his role in “Rocketman,” we asked Sir Elton John himself to get into the mind of the Hollywood heartthrob.https://t.co/39XfmZL7To

— Interview Magazine (@InterviewMag) April 8, 2019

Madden’s career has taken off ever since. He dipped his toe in the superhero world by starring as Ikaris in Eternals, and he’s also been featured in big movies such as 1917 and Rocketman.

Madden is just 35, so he’s technically in his acting and physical prime. The star power is there, and yet he’s not a household name just yet.

He gives the casting director that sweet spot of elite acting talent, desired features, and superhero quality.

Zac Efron

Next up is…um…Zac Efron? I know, it sounds silly, but hear me out. Physically, few can match Efron, while there is no denying his charm and star power.

The only real question with Efron, who has displayed stronger than expected acting ability in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, as well as The Greatest Showman and The Paperboy, if he can be convincing enough.

Heck, he even upped his game by playing a dad in Firestarter.

https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/status/1491445567171735552

Can Efron breathe new life into a character Hugh Jackman played so perfectly? Can he get away from his boy-ish good looks and be a more rugged, more seasoned version of this character?

He certainly does offer youth and upside, so if he can convince the decision-makers his good looks won’t be a deterrent, he can’t be written off.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

You can throw in Taron Egerton here, too. This one is partially about both of these guys being legit acting talents and viable options, but also because X-Men director Matthew Vaughn has vouched for them.

You could truly go either way. Egerton thrilled in the Kingsman franchise, and he certainly has the acting ability to pull this off.

I think Taron Egerton could do it in his sleep. Aaron Taylor-Johnson could do it, as well. I mean, I think Aaron or Taron would be my first two choices [that] could do it really well.

X-Men Director, Matthew Vaughn

However, Aaron Taylor-Johnson was a borderline superhero in the Kick-Ass franchise, was literally a superhero in The Avengers, and has much more experience in action flicks.

ATJ has a bit more personality and range as an actor, if you ask me, too. He’d be the pick here, but both guys getting the vote of confidence from a guy they’ve worked with can’t hurt.

Scott Eastwood

There are honestly so many actors who could play Wolverine. It’s an iconic character that isn’t necessarily easy to get right, but there are numerous big names that profile well in this role.

One more could be Scott Eastwood. He has the pedigree as the son of one of the greatest actors of all time in Clint Eastwood, but he’s also made a name for himself as a bit of an action star.

Eastwood is impossibly only 35 years old somehow, and he has yet to really land that big role that gives him a huge break in the industry.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s paid his dues, and he’s certainly had some strong roles and performances. Landing the role of Wolverine would launch his career to the next level, however, and he does seem to have the acting ability and looks to nail the role.

Who Will Be the Next Wolverine?

We are headed for a new X-Men in the near future, and the decision-makers behind the MCU probably wouldn’t mind introducing Wolverine into their timeline at some point, either.

It doesn’t really matter when it happens, though. The reality is it’s going to happen.

Of this list, my favorite pick is Richard Madden. Nobody thought Heath Ledger could be The Joker, and I damn sure doubt many thought of Robert Pattinson when looking at who would play The Batman.

Despite that, Ledger was brilliant, and it’s arguable Robert Pattinson is the best Batman already.

Madden has superhero experiences, he has proven to be a rising actor, and he’s ready for that massive role that sends him to Hollywood’s elite.

The only question is if he can be a bit more gruff – and convincingly so – and really show he can own a role like this.

Madden has crushed every other role, though, so why would he stop now?

Like Madden as the next Wolverine or have other actors in mind to play the iconic role? Let me hear it in the comments below!