Two popular casting choices for the MCU’s Wolverine make even more sense after Hugh Jackman’s recent comments about his years of playing the role. Many know Jackman because he has played Wolverine in Fox’s X-Men universe for over 20 years. However, the Australian actor is a versatile talent with an extensive background in musical theater. He has starred in musicals like Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, and The Music Man, and he said, in a recent interview with People, that his musical theater experience gave him an advantage while playing Wolverine.

Brian Smrz…was the first person to tell me; he said, “Every time I hire a stuntman or someone who’s coming up, I say, ‘Do dance class.’ … There’s a mixture of relaxation with the strength that you need.” It’s basically choreography. And so to take a punch, it’s more about the relaxation than the grunt of it. And it’s true.

While Jackman is reprising the role in Deadpool & Wolverine, he most likely won’t be the MCU’s long-term Wolverine once the X-Men enter the universe. So, the internet has suggested dozens of actors for the role, and two popular options are Harry Potter‘s Daniel Radcliffe and Kingsman‘s Taron Egerton. Based on Jackman’s comments, these two actors would have an advantage playing Wolverine over other options.

Hugh Jackman’s Comments Prove Daniel Radcliffe or Taron Egerton Would Be Excellent Choices For Wolverine

Radcliffe and Egerton have generated buzz from MCU audiences, who believe they’d be perfect candidates for Wolverine. Both actors have experience in large blockbusters, as Egerton starred in the Kingsman films and Radcliffe played the titular role in all eight Harry Potter films. They are also shorter than Jackman, meaning they could be a more comic book-accurate appearance of Wolverine. What sets them apart even more now is their background in song and dance, which, according to Jackman, is “invaluable” to have while filming action scenes.

Egerton showed off his song and dance skills as Elton John in Rocketman and showcased his singing talent with his role in the Sing films. Radcliffe showed his musical talent in popular Broadway productions, like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Currently, he is starring in Merrily We Roll Along, for which he received his first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Both actors have garnered praise for their acting and musical ability, and they could combine these experiences, like Jackman did, to play Wolverine.

What Each Actor Has Said About Playing Wolverine

Both actors have addressed the rumors that they could be playing Wolverine in the MCU. Radcliffe has denied the Wolverine rumors multiple times, saying Marvel hasn’t contacted him about doing it. Most recently, viewers noticed that he’d packed on some muscle and believed that this was training for Wolverine, but Radcliffe debunked it in a Vanity Fair interview, saying, “Flattered, but no.”

Egerton is more vague about whether he could be playing Wolverine or not. In a 2022 interview with The New York Times, he did confirm that he had a meeting with Kevin Feige about joining the MCU, but he didn’t say if it was Wolverine. He said he would be excited but “apprehensive as well” about taking the reins from Jackman, but he hopes Marvel gives him a shot. Either of these actors would do an excellent job, but viewers will have to wait and see who will play the MCU’s Wolverine.