Hugh Jackman’s status as aMarvelicon has been a hot topic of discussion after the release ofDeadpool & Wolverineearlier this year, but what some don’t know is thatthe actor actually has ties to DC as well. The superhero genre has largely been ruled by Marvel and DC as the two biggest studios, with their projects often being pitted against each other by fans. Some have developed a loyalty for one over the other, while others are satisfied just seeing the superhero genre expand.
The Marvel and DC brands have now extended over to actors, withstars becoming so iconic in their respective roles that it’s hard to imagine them portraying a character for the rival studio. When it does happen, though, it’s sure to make a big impact. One of themost notableDeadpool & Wolverinecameoswas Henry Cavill appearing as a Wolverine variant. Cavill previously played Superman for years, and Deadpool took the opportunity for some light-hearted jabs at DC. However, he is not the only actor to have portrayed both Superman and Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman Is Arguably One Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Brands
Jackman initially debuted as Wolverine in the very first X-Men movie, 2000’sX-Men. The actor eventuallywent on to play Wolverine for over two decadesin nine subsequent appearances. Wolverine had become such an iconic character for Jackman that the actor was eventually entrusted withX-Men’s first spin-off project,X-Men Origins: Wolverine,in 2009. In 2017, Jackman made what was supposed to be his final appearance as Wolverine inLogan. The film is widely regarded as one of thebest superhero moviesof all time because of Jackman’s outstanding performance and the incredible emotional arc.
Logan (2017)
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Logan’s death marked the send-off for both Wolverine and Jackman, which is what made his return in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverineso highly anticipated. He is, at least partly, responsible for the film’s huge success, and this year has truly solidified Jackman as a Marvel icon and one of their most powerful brands. However,Jackman actually had ties to Marvel’s rival DC before he really inhabited the role of Wolverine. He portrayed Superman in aSaturday Night Liveskit in 2001, likely leaving many fans to wonder what could’ve been.
Hugh Jackman Appeared As Superman On Saturday Night Live
Jackman’s 2001SNLskit starts with him as Clark Kent, donning the classic Superman suit. In the Fortress of Solitude, he prepares the Kryptonian crystals so that he can begin to find out his true identity and communicate with his parents. The disembodied head of his father, Jor-El, played by Will Ferrell, appears, and after they greet each other, they soon realize that they don’t have much to actually talk about. During the awkward silence, Jor-El hands the phone over to Superman’s mother, Lara, played by Maya Rudolph.
Lara has her own concerns about her son, asking about his life on Earth. Superman mentions meeting Lois Lane but confirms that she is not his girlfriend and that he prefers to spend time with Jimmy Olsen instead. Wondering if her son is gay, she hands the phone back to Jor-El and the two have some more awkward exchanges with their son. Although it’s just anSNLskit that isn’t canon to the larger franchise, the fact that Jackman played a DC icon before really solidifying himself as a Marvel one just goes to show theDeadpool & Wolverineactor’s range.
