Hugh Jackman Says Channing Tatum Could Take Over Wolverine Role

Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine for over a decade but the star is realistic about how long he can continue to portray the character on-screen.

"I've got to admit, when I took on the role, I was 30. But I think I needed to be 40 before I really got it," he told the PA. “Now I feel like, 'This guy's 200 (years old)'. I'm enjoying it more now than I ever have, that's for sure.”

“But they won't retire it though,” he said of the character. “I can tell you that right now. 100 per cent."

Calling the decision to re-cast Wolverine once Jackman steps down “inevitable”, the actor said: "I don't know who could play him. Channing Tatum could probably play him."

Tatum is on a career high at the moment, after the commercial and critical success of his film Magic Mike. He will next star alongside Mila Kunis in Jupiter Ascending while yesterday he was named the recipient of the Trailblazer MTV Movie Award.

However Jackman’s co-star James McAvoy, who plays a young version of Sir Patrick Stewart's character Professor Charles Xavier, told the star: “Nobody could step into your shoes. They've got to retire the character when you finish. When you're done with it, they retire the character."

Hugh jokingly replied: "You will get the offer [to play Wolverine] in about five years time and you'll go, 'My God, he was right'. But when you get offered it, don't do it. For our friendship, don't do it."

X-Men: Days of Future Past Cast Grace Empire Mag!

• Jennifer Lawrence © Empire

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• Hugh Jackman © Empire

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• Halle Berry © Empire

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• James McAvoy © Empire

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