Marvel's Adamantium Reveal May Confirm One Disappointing Aspect For The MCU's Wolverine

By Ross Tanenbaum

Published Aug 9, 2024

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Summary

Adamantium's introduction in Captain America: Brave New World sets the stage for the debut of the main MCU timeline's Wolverine.
Based on this reveal, Henry Cavill's Wolverine variant in Deadpool & Wolverine may not be the main MCU timeline's Wolverine.
Cavill could still be the MCU's Wolverine based on how variants have been approached in the franchise.

the dead celestial from Eternals emerging from the Earth, and countries are fighting over its resources.

While the X-Men's MCU debut is still many years away, Adamantium indicates that Wolverine is coming, as the element is a core part of the hero's backstory and powerset. Unfortunately, Adamantium's discovery means one variant of Wolverine isn't likely to be the version that's in the MCU timeline.

Hugh Jackman is angry in Deadpool & Wolverine next to the dead celestial's emerging head from Eternals

The MCU Just itted They Debuted Their First Adamantium-Enhanced Hero 10 Years Ago - And It's Not Wolverine

While the MCU's Wolverine has yet to be revealed, a new reveal for Captain America: Brave New World means another hero could possess Adamantium.

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Captain America 4's Adamantium Introduction May Mean Henry Cavill's Wolverine Isn't In The MCU

One of the highlights of Deadpool & Wolverine is Deadpool's search for a Wolverine variant to replace the Fox version as the universe's new anchor being. During his search, he encounters a roster of Wolverine variants, including one played by Henry Cavill a.k.a. The Cavillrine. His screen time is limited, but it's great to see him smoke a cigar and do his classic Mission: Impossible - Fallout arm reload before punching Deadpool into another universe.

An important detail in this scene is that the Cavillrine already has his Adamantium claws. Since Adamantium won't be discovered until Captain America 4, Cavill's variant is probably not the version in the MCU. Wolverine could exist in the MCU, but he won't have his Adamantium claws yet unless Marvel changes his origins. However, there is some hope for those who want Cavill as the MCU's Wolverine.

Could Cavill Still Be The MCU's Wolverine?

Henry Cavill's Wolverine smoking a cigar in Deadpool & Wolverine.

While Henry Cavill being the MCU's Wolverine doesn't look immensely likely right now, the answer isn't a definitive no. The Cavillrine is a Wolverine variant, meaning there could be millions of Wolverines that look like Cavill. The MCU's Wolverine could be Cavill even with Deadpool 3's version existing simultaneously. However, it's more likely that this is just a fun cameo. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Man of Steel actor said he wouldn't want to play a Marvel character that's currently played by someone else, stating:

“I’m never going to say a Marvel character that is already being played by someone else because everyone’s doing such an amazing job."

Technically, no one else is playing Logan in the MCU, but Cavill may not want to step into Hugh Jackman's shoes, especially now the Captain America: Brave New World reveal makes establishing him as the main timeline's version of the character more complicated. It will be daunting for the next Wolverine actor, and Cavill could want to play a character who has never appeared in a movie before. Audiences want Cavill to the MCU, and Marvel needs to find a way to make that happen even if he's not Wolverine.