Deadpool 2's ending already set up Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3. Ryan Reynolds' wish of getting another shot at a Wolverine and Deadpool crossover finally materialized in 2022 with the news of Jackman's casting for Deadpool 3. The move came with lots of questions, but it has been confirmed that Wolverine's next appearance will not retcon or change Logan in any fashion. Instead, the common thought has been that the multiverse will play a role in bringing the mutants together, especially as Deadpool is poised to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine return in Deadpool 3 comes after the last entry made multiple references to his time as the Marvel superhero. Deadpool cracked jokes about Wolverine dying in his movie before Deadpool 2's death montage, while a toy of dead Wolverine was even included. Deadpool 2's ending included one last reminder of what could be, as Wade Wilson used time travel to kill X-Men Origins: Wolverine's Deadpool and tell Wolverine that he needs to say yes the next time he's asked to do a crossover. The funny moment not only predicted Wolverine's return but now set up how it will happen.

Related: Deadpool 3 Can Finally Give Hugh Jackman's Wolverine A Comic Accurate Suit

Deadpool 3 Is Bringing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Back Through Time Travel

a masked Deadpool cradles his face adorably; Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) rushes into battle

As confirmed by Hugh Jackman, Deadpool 3 is using time travel to bring Wolverine back. The actor teased that his Marvel return will not interfere with Logan's story in any fashion, as he instead mentioned there is a device that will allow them to be "moving around timelines" and "go back" in the timeline. In addition to likely including some multiverse connection, this quote indicates that time travel is key to Wolverine's return. Instead of using the MCU's various time travel methods, though, Deadpool 3 appears poised to build on the time travel technology that already was put to use in Deadpool 2's ending and post-credits scene.

Deadpool 3 using time travel to bring back Hugh Jackman's Wolverine makes sense after Deadpool 2. The film made time travel a key part of its plot through the introduction of Cable (Josh Brolin), a time-traveling mutant from the future. Since Deadpool got a hold of the technology and used it as he pleased by the end, more time traveling was sure to come. It might not have been the plan at that point, but Deadpool 2's time travel now will be used as the basis for Wolverine's return.

Wolverine’s New Time Travel Story Will Be Different Than Days of Future Past

Wolverine time-travelling in X-Men Days of Future Past

Ironically, Deadpool 3 will not be the first time that Wolverine uses time travel in the movies, but it will be very different from his experience in X-Men: Days of Future Past. This was accomplished through Kitty Pryde's ability to send someone's consciousness back to a previous part of their life. That means only Wolverine's mind traveled through time, whereas Deadpool 2's Cable technology allowed an entire person to go back in history. This also signals another difference, as Wolverine's last time travel mission used mutant powers to accomplish the feat, while Deadpool 3 will utilize technology.

There is also going to be a very different tonal aspect of Wolverine's time travel story in Deadpool 3. The R-rated MCU action/comedy will be raunchier and more violent than what was presented in X-Men: Days of Future Past. It could even see Wolverine not be as knowledgeable about the time travel story that is unfolding around him. Whereas he had to recruit other mutants to help him in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Wolverine could be the one being recruited for a multiverse, time-traveling team-up after Deadpool 2.

More: Wolverine's MCU Debut Is Great (If It Ends With Deadpool 3)

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