FROM WIZARD TO MUTANT:
Daniel Radcliffe rumored to play Wolverine?
Who is Wolverine? Anyone with comic book street cred would answer James "Logan" Howlett, but for the past 23 years, most of us would say the name Hugh Jackman. With James Mangold's superb film Logan, Jackman took the opportunity to give the cigar-chomping anti-hero a proper coda. That was until Ryan Reynolds came along and convinced his pal to pop those claws one final time in the upcoming Deadpool 3. When on-set photos revealed Jackman (now 54 years old) was wearing Wolverine's more comic-accurate attire, both comic book and movie fans rejoiced, ready for more of the indestructible mutant. But Jackman can stay jacked only so long to believably play the superhero, and after 23 years, we have to accept it's someone else's role moving forward.
The MCU obviously has big plans for the X-Men, but Marvel Studios President Kevin Fiege isn't sharing them anytime soon. The internet being what it is, plenty of speculation and rumors have emerged, as well as some interesting fan casting (Jared Kesso, anyone?). While names like Charlie Hunnam and Justin Theroux have been floated, it was Jackman's Eddie the Eagle co-star Taron Egerton that most people agreed was likely to succeed. Then, the "boy who lived" entered the conversation.
Taron Egerton shows off a Wolverine-ready physique with several gym selfies.
Yes, that "boy who lived." The small, bespeckled hero of Hogwarts that saved us all from he who must not be named; Harry Potter, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe from 2001 to 2011.
I know what you're thinking. Why Daniel Radcliffe? When did this rumor/fan casting begin? Back in 2019, Radcliffe had some fun during a Wired interview when he was asked whether he was going to be the new Wolverine. You can see his reply here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNmT8FzHLo
Although he answered the question in jest, it didn't take long before the question was asked more frequently. And why shouldn't he be considered to take on a role that demands commitment and elicits a little fear? After all, he's proven he can lead a blockbuster franchise over the course of many years, and with films like Swiss Army Man, Jungle, and Guns Akimbo, he successfully segued from child star to action star, in the broadest sense, mind you. And let's face it, you have to be fearless to play someone as iconic as "Weird" Al Yankovic! By the way, he was brilliant in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
His filmography aside, there is a physicality that Hollywood demands of anyone ready to put on some spandex and fight super villains. Could Radcliffe make such a transformation? You could say he already has.
In the season 4 finale of TBS apocalyptic comedy series Miracle Workers, Radcliffe showed off an impressive physique that has fans shocked, and the rumors re-ignited that he's on Kevin Fiege's call list. Could we be looking at the next Wolverine? At 34 years of age and standing 5'5, he's definitely more comic-accurate (Wolverine is 5'3 in the comics) and currently, he's inexplicably shredded. Are fans of Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, and the MCU ready for a new Wolverine? Is Daniel Radcliffe on the list on potential actors? If he's not the current front-runner, he should be, bub.
