Hugh Jackman Explains Why He Quit Playing Wolverine

When Hugh Jackman sheathed his adamantium claws for good in 2017’s Logan, fans were heartbroken. The Australian actor had been playing Wolverine for nearly twenty years and it was definitely tough to see him go. Especially as he never got to interact with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, even though it’s something every X-Men fan wants to see (yes Hugh, despite what you say, it’s true).

So, why did Jackman decided to say goodbye to the role that he clearly had a blast playing for so long? While speaking with MTV, the star came up with the perfect metaphor to explain his feelings towards his career as Wolverine, stating:

“When I saw Deadpool, I was like, wow that’s cool. It’s just a matter of time. It’s a bit like you’re at the greatest party you’ve ever been at, you’ve been dancing for an hour and a half, and then you’re just like ‘It’s time, ok. If I stay any longer, it’s gonna get ugly.’ It’s like, it’s time.”

Even when the opportunity to potentially crossover with Deadpool came along, Jackman stuck with his initial decision to call it a night, telling MTV:

“And on the way home, someone calls you and goes ‘THEY JUST PUT MICHAEL JACKSON ON! YOU GOTTA GET BACK HERE!’ And a little part of you goes, ‘I like Michael Jackson,’ but then you just go, I want to go to bed.”

Jackman then added that he might not be on the dance floor anymore, as it were, but he’s still cheering his pal Reynolds on from the sidelines.

“But I’m cheering for him. You go man. Go dance away. Go for it.”

As amazing as it would be for Jackman and Reynolds to translate their social media good-natured rivalry onto the big screen, you can totally understand why the actor made the decision he did – especially when he puts it this way. No other superhero star has played the same character for as many years as he has (though Robert Downey Jr. could match it, if Iron Man survives Avengers 4), so he had to stop at some point.

What’s more, in many ways, he passed the baton over to Reynolds for the Merc with a Mouth to takeover from Wolverine as the new poster child of the X-Men franchise. Speaking of which, Once Upon a Deadpool – the PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 – enters theaters on December 21st.