Hugh Jackman's Wolverine Training Video Harms Your Secret Wars Theories

While it's exciting that Wolverine will return in the MCU's Deadpool 3, Hugh Jackman's update on his physical training could be a negative sign for the actor's potential appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars. Disney's acquisition of Fox suggested that Fox's X-Men franchise and all its characters would not be able to return to the big screen. However, Marvel Studios has found creative ways to bring back popular X-Men actors such as Evan Peters, Patrick Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman, and give them roles within the MCU.

But unlike Evan Peters' return as the "fake Pietro" actor Ralph Bohner in WandaVision and Patrick Stewart's small multiversal role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are set to have leading roles in Deadpool 3. Accordingly, Hugh Jackman began training to get back in shape for his iconic Wolverine role, which the actor has famously made synonymous with peak physique. However, the extreme intensity of Hugh Jackman's arduous physical training may suggest the Wolverine actor won't try it again after Deadpool 3.

Hugh Jackman's Past Comments About Training To Become Wolverine

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror in the MCU

Hugh Jackman has notoriously taken his body to the extreme when preparing for his performances, not only in Fox's X-Men franchise but also for Les Misérables. Jackman's efforts have allowed him to go from the disheveled Jean Valjean to the superhumanly muscular Logan in the X-Men franchise's underrated The Wolverine within a single year, but they have also come with uncomfortable side effects. Hugh Jackman has stated that his strict diets and workouts require him to spend several hours at the gym performing intense workout routines and, as Jackman explains in an interview with Stephen Colbert, resort to dangerous dehydration techniques consisting of no water intake for about 36 hours.

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine training usually aims for extremely well-defined muscles, which is much more difficult than simply increasing muscle size, as diet takes a bigger role and requires the precise balance between a high amount of calories and a clean nutrition. In another Hugh Jackman interview with Stephen Colbert, the actor explains that he also needs to consume 6,000 calories a day. Jackman has also shared his extreme Wolverine workouts on social media in anticipation for Wolverine's next appearance. For instance, Hugh Jackman posted a Deadpool 3 training video that shows him push his body to the limit once again in 2023.

MCU Theories Claim Jackman's Wolverine Will Be In Secret Wars

Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), and Namor (Tenoch Huerta) line up for the final battle of Secret Wars

While Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3 is exciting in and of itself, the possibility of another appearance in a future MCU movie also raises expectations. The Multiverse Saga allows any character to return even after death, and considering Avengers: Secret Wars will likely conclude the saga the same way Avengers: Endgame wrapped up the Infinity Saga, it's possible for beloved Marvel actors such as Tobey Maguire, Patrick Stewart, and Robert Downey Jr. to come back for a massive crossover event. Logically, Hugh Jackman is one of those actors who wouldn't miss such an opportunity.

Hugh Jackman's possible appearance as Wolverine in Avengers: Secret Wars only becomes more exciting when taking into account the possible interactions between multiversal characters. Similar to Avengers: Endgame's famous final battle in which most active heroes joined forces to battle Thanos, Avengers: Secret Wars could feature a team-up between pre-MCU Marvel actors and MCU icons as they fight Kang the Conqueror. For instance, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine sharing the screen with Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man is a possible scenario.

Jackman's Wolverine Training May Deter Him From Secret Wars Role

Shirtless Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Logan's Classic Comic Book Costume

But as exciting as it is, Hugh Jackman's possible return as Wolverine in Avengers: Secret Wars is less likely considering how difficult and dangerous the actor's training regime usually is. After eleven Wolverine appearances and at age 57 at the time of Avengers: Secret Wars' release date, Hugh Jackman may not be willing to put his health on the line to be in perfect shape once again. Despite saying goodbye to the role in 2017's Logan, Avengers: Secret Wars could be the definitive final appearance for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, and maintaining his streak of peak physical performance would let Jackman retire undefeated.

There are various ways Avengers: Secret Wars can help Hugh Jackman avoid yet another exhausting and time-consuming training period. For instance, the Phase 6 movie could swap Hugh Jackman's now iconic shirtless look for Wolverine's classic comic book costume or Jackman's original X-Men full-body leather suit. Alternatively, Marvel Studios could employ VFX for the action sequences that feature Wolverine in battle. Since it's possible that Avengers: Secret Wars' character count will surpass Avengers: Endgame's, it would be more reasonable to ensure Hugh Jackman's involvement rather than enforce another grueling workout routine on him.

Will Deadpool 3 Be Jackman's Last Appearance As Wolverine?

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Logan and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool

Hugh Jackman had already announced his retirement from the Wolverine role with his performance in James Mangold's Logan. But similar to Patrick Stewart and his previous goodbyes to Professor X in X-Men: The Last Stand and Logan before his return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Deadpool 3 may not be the last time Hugh Jackman wields the claws on the big screen. The MCU multiverse makes it possible for Wolverine to return in Avengers: Secret Wars, and even if Deadpool 3's version of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine doesn't come back after meeting Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson, another variant could be introduced for the Phase 6 crossover.

After Avengers: Secret Wars, there will be enough space in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a new generation of MCU-born mutants to form the X-Men, which will likely include a new version of Wolverine played by a younger actor. Hence, Avengers: Secret Wars may truly be the last time Hugh Jackman can play Wolverine on the big screen. For now, Hugh Jackman will focus on entering the MCU with the best physique he can attain for Deadpool 3.

More: Deadpool 3 Villain Actor Reportedly Cast: Who Could They Be Playing?