Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine may be the most consistent aspect of Fox’s X-Men franchise, but the character’s appearance changed dramatically from one film to the next. A largely unknown actor when cast in the 2000 movie, Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine launched him to international stardom. His iconic performance over seventeen years and nine movies has made him so synonymous with the hero that audiences will struggle to imagine the role being played by anyone else now that Jackman has hung up his claws for good.

Marvel’s Mutants had quite the journey to the big screen. There are several other live-action iterations of Wolverine that never happened and Jackman certainly wasn’t the first actor considered for the part. Bob Hoskins came somewhat close in the ‘90s, which was the same decade that saw former Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig also passed on the role. Director Bryan Singer had high hopes that Russell Crowe would play Logan in X-Men, but he wasn’t interested and the part ultimately went to Dougray Scott. That would’ve been the end of the story, but thanks to delays in filming Mission Impossible II, Scott was famously replaced with Jackman weeks after filming had already begun.

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One of Wolverine’s mutant abilities is his healing factor. This has not only enabled him to survive countless wounds that would otherwise prove fatal but also makes his age pretty impossible to determine. Wolverine may be essentially ageless, and though Jackman is himself a mortal man, the actor has rather impressively captured this quality throughout his tenure in the Fox films. While it may feel like Jackman is seemingly aging at an unnaturally slow rate, his Wolverine has still gone through many changes. Notably, despite these changes, one constant is the fact that Jackman never suited up in any iteration of Wolverine’s classic costume, with only a hint of it shown in a deleted scene of The WolverineDirector James Mangold has previously explained that he simply could not imagine this version of Logan would ever wear it.

X-Men

Logan runs around the X-Mansion in X-Men.

There was some trepidation at Jackman’s casting initially, not only because he wasn’t a well-known performer at the time, but also because the actor stands almost a full foot taller than the mutant. However, Jackman’s introduction quickly silenced all the naysayers and although X-Men is not a film without issues, Wolverine is certainly not one of them. When rewatching the movie, one of the most notable differences between this appearance and those later in the franchise is Jackman’s size. The actor would become largely responsible for the standards of the modern superhero physique, but due to being thrust into the role late, Jackman had little time to physically prepare. Still, the film did begin the long-standing tradition of featuring at least one scene of Jackman losing his shirt. It also established the character’s love of leather jackets, which Logan wore repeatedly from there on.

Director Bryan Singer knew little about comics and yet X-Men’s version of Wolverine was pretty spot on from the start. This can obviously be attributed to Jackman himself, who imbued the character with the same animalistic energy as his comic counterpart. He also sported Logan’s trademark mutton chops and thanks to Kevin Feige, his distinctive hairstyle. Logan’s CGI claws aren’t terrible, considering the film was made in 2000, and Jackman used practical claws for the majority of his scenes anyway. It’s unlikely movie audiences at the time were ready for comic-accurate costumes, so while the film’s black leather may seem anachronistic now, it wasn’t actually a bad alternative. Wolverine’s famous yellow spandex was jokingly alluded to, though his outfit did feature yellow trim and several prominent X symbols. This drastic costume change would go on to influence more than one of Wolverine’s comic looks.

X2: X-Men United

Wolverine in X2

Even if you believe that Logan dethroned X2 as the best X-Men movie, it still ranks as one of the finest superhero films ever made. Everything about the sequel is bigger and better than its predecessor and that includes Wolverine. As with X-Men, much of the focus is on Logan and the most immediately obvious change in Wolverine is how much Jackson bulked up in between films. He had far more time to prepare for his role in this 2003 movie and it shows. The actor’s arms alone appear twice the size they were in X-Men, but his entire upper body is noticeably larger. X2 shows Wolverine enter full-on berserker mode in his other well-known uniform, a white tank top, and jeans.

Related: X-Men 2 Cast Reportedly Threatened To Quit Over Failed Hugh Jackman Stunt

Wolverine’s X2 costume may look very similar to the one from X-Men, save a prominently displayed X across his chest and the more obvious yellow trim. However, the one-piece jumpsuit had evolved into a more loose-fitting jacket and pants combo. Apparently the original costume was very stiff and Jackman’s one mandate was that he would be able to actually move in this one. X2’s CGI is a major step up from X-Men, but this doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of Wolverine’s claws. Jackman was still primarily using real claws for most of the film, which always look better than the brief moments of CGI ones. The actor is still rocking Logan’s signature hairstyle, because unlike a comic-accurate costume and the character’s height, some things are simply non-negotiable.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Wolverine in X-Men The Last Stand

Bryan Singer set up what promised to be an epic Dark Phoenix inspired conclusion with the end of X2, but stepped away to direct Superman Returns, leaving X-Men: The Last Stand in Brett Ratner’s less than capable hands after the hunt for a director for X-Men 3 took in numerous names. Once again, much of the 2006 film’s focus is on Logan and though Jackman’s performance is still great, there’s nothing he can do to save the third X-Men installment. There may have been a world of difference between X2 and The Last Stand in terms of quality, but Wolverine’s appearance doesn’t change too much from one film to the other. Jackman has improved upon his already impressive physique, looking even larger and more defined than he was in X2. His hair is also even more extreme, which somehow seems appropriate considering how bad the film is.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

An enraged Wolverine comes out of a tank in X-Men Origins

X-Men Origins: Wolverine may rank among the worst of the X-Men movies, but Hugh Jackman’s increasingly stringent diet and intensive workout regimen had yielded rather incredible results. The actor’s entire physique was on full display during scenes like his escape from Weapon X and while the 2009 movie may have been terrible, there is no denying that Jackman looked like a comic book superhero come to life. He may have been taller and more attractive than the Wolverine from Marvel’s source material, but Jackman certainly became the blueprint that future actors would strive for when portraying these characters on the big screen.

Jackman may have looked amazing, but his CGI claws did not. There was, however, an important reason for the computer-generated appendages this time around: safety. Jackman has previously called the claws “killing machines” and explained that he not only accidentally stabbed other people, including one of Mystique’s stunt doubles but also had scars covering his own thighs. So, while the CGI used in X-Men Origins: Wolverine gave him terrible cartoon claws, the attempt to make playing the mutant safer for Jackman and everyone else involved can be understood. However, Wolvie’s adamantium claws aren’t the only ones to worry about here. There are terrible CGI bone claws as well before Logan gets a metal upgrade. We get to see Jackman without Wolverine’s familiar hairdo and also, dressed as a lumberjack.

Related: Wolverine Was Australian BEFORE Hugh Jackman

X-Men: First Class

Wolverine in X-Men First Class

There’s not too much to say about Wolverine’s cameo in X-Men: First Class. It may be a hilarious performance that epitomizes this character, but not much is revealed in terms of Logan’s appearance. As always, Jackman’s portrayal in the 2011 film is immediately recognizable. When Professor X and Magneto attempted to enlist his aid in the ‘60s, he had some choice words for them and that was all. As always, Jackman stole the scene. His Wolverine hair is less obvious than usual, but by this point in the game, he no longer needed it to sell the character. It's just a shame the plan for a Matthew Vaughn's directed First Class sequel that would have included young Wolverine didn't follow.

The Wolverine

Hugh Jackman - The Wolverine

Logan got several major upgrades in James Mangold’s 2013 follow-up, The Wolverine, which was almost directed by Darren Aronofksy. Not only was the film a major improvement over the prequel, but Jackman had reached something of a physical apex by the time this movie was made. His physique had attained near-inhuman levels, with muscles and veins barely contained by the skin surrounding them. After the cartoon claws disaster of the previous movie, Wolverine’s claws were redesigned as well. The new ones were given sharper angles so they might capture the light more effectively. They were also moved slightly lower and closer to the palm in an attempt to make them more anatomically correct.

It’s worth noting that Wolverine looks the least like himself here, even more so than in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. His hair has little of its typical volume, despite this being a post-X-Men R-rated adventure. He was also looking much more sleek than usual in a black suit. This worked in the context of the film but definitely presented Logan in a way audiences weren’t accustomed to. As previously mentioned though, by now, Jackman really didn’t need a haircut or costume to let fans know he was Wolverine. Plus, Logan is allowed to change his hair every few decades. He also loses his adamantium claws thanks to Yashida, though his bone claws do make another appearance.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Wolverine - Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past not only effectively brought together the old class and the new in 2014 but also gave viewers two versions of Wolverine. His future uniform looks to be armored and far more functional than previous X-Men costumes. Logan’s classic yellow and blue color scheme was also incorporated into it, however slightly, making this outfit the biggest homage to Wolverine’s costume fans have seen. It also gives the appearance of something rather haphazardly put together, which makes sense considering the future these mutants are living in. His hair is in its more familiar style once again, but this time, with some grey on the sides. He has also regained his metal claws, most likely thanks to Magneto. As for past-Wolverine, he’s just as groovy as one might expect, bone claws and all.

Related: Marvel Theory: Black Panther 2 Sets Up Both X-Men & Fantastic 4 In The MCU

X-Men: Apocalypse

Wolverine as Weapon X in X-Men Apocalypse

Wolverine’s Weapon X cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse may have been a fun moment for comic fans, but it makes little sense in terms of the 2016 movie’s already overstuffed narrative. As out of place as it may have been, Jackman did look like he tore his way straight out of one of Barry Windsor-Smith’s comic panels, which was pretty cool.

Logan

Logan was one of the best X-Men films, but also the perfect way to wrap up Wolverine’s story. Jackman looked appropriately beaten and broken in this 2017 movie, expertly conveying the character’s world-weary demeanor. Perhaps this also reflected almost two decades of Jackman routinely punishing his own body to keep himself in unimaginable shape. His rugged appearance is definitely influenced by the “Old Man Logan” arc in the Wolverine comics.

Viewers found little to complain about in Jackman’s final outing as the character. The fight scenes were thrilling, Wolvie’s claws looked more realistic than ever, and if Jackman didn’t look like the Wolverine fans had come to know and love, that was obviously by design. Regardless of whether or not every X-Men movie to feature Jackman was actually good, the actor himself was always fantastic in them. Logan gave both the character and Jackman the sendoff they deserved. Good luck to the next actor to take up the mantle of Wolverine because they have a near-impossible act to follow.

Next: Marvel Can't Beat Logan — The MCU's Wolverine Needs To Be Different