Taron Egerton has revealed that he has met with Marvel president Kevin Feige and other executives at the studio about being the next actor to play Wolverine. If cast, the Golden Globe-winning Welsh performer, who rose to international prominence with his portrayal of Elton John in the 2019 musical biopic, Rocketman, will take over the role of Wolverine from Hugh Jackman.
While promoting his upcoming Apple TV+ limited crime drama series, Black Bird, Egerton told the New York Times that he wishes to succeed the Academy Award-nominated Jackman in playing Wolverine. The latter played the character in nine X-Men films between 2000-2017, and the character is also vital to the Avengers franchise.
During the interview, Egerton admitted that “I don’t think it would be wrong to say that” about his interest in taking on the iconic role. “I’d be excited but I’d be apprehensive as well, because Hugh is so associated with the role that I’d wonder if it’d be very difficult for someone else to do it. But hopefully if it does come around, they’ll give me a shot.”
Egerton’s interview with The New York Times came after he previously spoke publicly about the X-Men member in 2019. At the time, he told British GQ that he was aware of some Marvel fans’ hopes that he’ll be cast as Wolverine.
“That anyone thinks I would be good for the part is really flattering,” the actor said. “I love Marvel, but it’s just fan stuff. There is no grounding for those rumors.”
Besides portraying the Grammy Award-inning John in Rocketman, Egerton got his big break in director Matthew Vaughn’s 2014 action spy comedy, Kingsman: The Secret Service. He reprised his role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in the movie’s 2017 sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The actor also starred in the 2016 sports biopic, Eddie the Eagle, with Jackman, who last played Wolverine in 2017’s Logan.
The British actor’s next project is Black Bird, which is set to premiere on July 8. The six-episode series was adapted by screenwriter Dennis Lehane from James Keene’s 2010 autobiographical prison memoir, In With The Devil. On the show, Egerton plays Keene, an imprisoned drug dealer, who faces the offer of a commuted sentence if he’s able to convince his fellow inmate to admit to serious crimes.
The actor also recently appeared on stage in London’s West End revival of the play Cock. However, he dropped out of the show, citing personal reasons when a family member became ill. His decision to leave the production came after he previously collapsed on stage during the first night and was later been diagnosed with COVID-19.