Extra, Extra! Hugh Jackman Hanging Up His Claws After Wolverine 3

In which I report on the latest in entertainment news.

This isn't a good news week for Fox's X-Men film franchise.  Not only did Jennifer Lawrence announce that she won't be reprising her role after X-Men: Apocalypse, but now Hugh Jackman has cryptically announced his retirement from the franchise as well.  The Australian actor posted a picture of Wolverine's signature bladed fist on Instagram, promising "Wolverine... one last time."

It should really come as no surprise to anybody that the now 46-year-old actor wouldn't be eager to continue the extremely physical role of Wolverine.  Even Robert Downey Jr. needed some convincing before he agreed to reprise his role as Iron Man, and his action scenes are far more CGI assisted than Jackman's.  After 17-years of reprising and bulking up for the same role, it only makes sense that he'd be ready to step down from it.

It's a foregone conclusion at this point that he will have some role to play in X-Men: Apocalypse, even if it is just a cameo (remember his amazing appearance in First Class?).  I'm likewise certain that they'll be able to convince him to appear in the new Deadpool movie, if only to save face for X-Men Origins.  The only substantive outing that we'll get with him, however, will be in the currently untitled Wolverine 3.

This has fueled speculation about what Fox has planned for their final Wolverine cash-grab.  One popular option is 2008's Old Man Logan, in which the world is conquered by super villains and all superheroes have been effectively eliminated.  Decades after being tricked into slaughtering the X-Men (thanks to Mysterio's illusory powers), a cash-strapped Wolverine is contracted to deliver a mysterious package that may prove to be the world's salvation.

The problem with Old Man Logan is just how many non-Fox-owned Marvel characters appear in the story.  Wolverine's landlord is the bastard child of Hulk and She-Hulk.  He an a blinded Hawkeye deliver the package - a case of Captain America's Super Soldier Serum - to some undercover SHIELD agents working for the Red Skull.  It's certainly doable, but requires some major work-arounds to make feasible and clashes with the optimistic ending of Days of Future Past.

A more likely option for Fox to explore is the recent Death of Wolverine storyline, which could be a fitting farewell to Jackman's character.  The problem with that, however, is how similar it is to the plot of The Wolverine, as both feature Wolverine losing his healing factor as a way to allow his enemies to take him out.

There is also a third possibility, one that wouldn't require such a character-ending turn of events.  Fox could simply replace Hugh Jackman with another actor after Wolverine 3 and carry on as if nothing's changed.  It's the same basic game that studios have been playing with Bond, Batman and even Bruce Banner for decades.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how Fox handles Jackman's departure from the series that is so firmly entrenched in his character (and more specifically, his portrayal of that character).  Maybe this will be opportunity enough for Fox to explore solo projects with its other mutant characters, many of which are just as capable as Wolverine of carrying the weight of a solo title.

So do you think that Fox is going to kill off Wolverine when Jackman leaves, or simply replace him with another actor?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Join the Filmquisition on Twitter (@Filmquisition) or by subscribing to this blog.