Editorial Staff
Word sprinkled all over the ceramic curves of the internet toilet bowl yesterday that Hugh Jackman – who, as far as we know, permanently retired the character in “Logan” – would be keen on reprising naily mutant Wolverine if the character were to team up with “The Avengers” on the big screen.
While that scenario would previously seem unlikely, given that the cinematic takes on those characters are with different studios, talks of a Fox and Disney merger have fanboys frothing at potential opportunities that might now lie ahead. Ya see, if Disney and Fox do become one, the gate is unlatched and suddenly comic book characters like Doctor Doom and Thanos, The Guardians of the Galaxy and the Fantastic Four, and Deadpool and the Hulk can share the screen. Jackman was reported to be mulling over putting the mullet back on for another go-round as Wolverine if the deal closes. That report, it seems, is BS. Like so many headlines, it was a quote taken out of context that spiraled out of control.
Out promoting his new flick “The Greatest Showman”, Jackman cleared up webby whispers on a Wolverine reprisal for a future “Avengers” movie, suggesting the ship has sailed. You can watch Jackman’s interview on Collider below.
“It’s interesting because for the whole 17 years I kept thinking that would be so great, like I would love to see, particularly, Iron Man and the Hulk and Wolverine together. And every time I saw an Avengers movie I could just see Wolverine in the middle of all of them like punching them all on the head. But it was like, “Oh well, that’s not gonna happen,” and it was interesting just when I first saw that headline — it was just the possibility of it and who knows what’s gonna happen, obviously — I was like, “Hang on!” But I think, unfortunately, the ship has sailed for me, but for someone else I would like to see Wolverine in there.”
So while Jackman likely won’t be back as Logan, it seems quite possible – he even suggests it – that another actor might pick up the finger-blades and bring the legendary character back to the big screen… and maybe to “The Avengers”.
This Fox/Disney thing is interesting. Disney would call the shots on all of Fox’s properties, apparently – which has saddened a few Fox stable faves who are convinced we’d see less braver, edgier films. Both James Mangold (“Logan”) and Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) have said that their comic book ventures wouldn’t have worked at Disney, and they’re unsure what the deal would mean for films like theirs, which Fox supported and encouraged to be violent R-rated movies. We can piss and tweet about it as much as we like, forecasters say the deal will be announced within days – probably by Christmas.
So besides all the superhero properties under the Fox umbrella, what else franchise-wise does Disney stand to gain?
Where does one start?
The “Alien” franchise – which could be good for Neil Blomkamp, whose rejected “Alien 5” idea might see a new lease of life thanks to Disney, the “Die Hard” series – the upcoming John McClane prequel would be the first “Die Hard” movie to go out through Disney. Can only imagine how ‘watered down’ it’ll be. Disney would also get their Mousey mittens on the “Planet of the Apes” series, those “Avatar” sequels, the long-running “X-Files” brand, the “Predator” movies and, of course, the big one, “The Simpsons”- which would actually probably be a snug fit over at the house of mouse, considering their penchant for mass merchandising everything.
And there’s a bunch of dormant Fox properties that Disney would also probably relaunch, simply because they fit their brand, cinematic entities like “Home Alone”, “The Fly”, “Night at the Museum”, “Romancing the Stone”… and the list goes on.
Jackman won’t be bringing his Wolverine to Disney, but with a merger imminent sounds like the X-Man will still get to meet a Porg.
