Zac Efron addresses rumors that he will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the X-Men's Wolverine. Marvel recently delighted fans when it confirmed the existence of mutants in the MCU in the Ms. Marvel finale. The reveal brings the MCU one step closer to introducing the X-Men, who many have been patiently anticipating since Disney acquired 20th Century Studios in 2019. However, Marvel hasn't released much information about when the X-Men will join the MCU, despite Patrick Stewart's Professor Xavier appearing in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
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Now it seems that the next X-Men member to appear in the MCU will be Wolverine. The fan-favorite character was teased with a small Easter egg in the background of She-Hulk episode 2, and rumors over who will play the MCU's Wolverine have been circulating online for a while now. Then, Ryan Reynolds announced that Hugh Jackman would reprise the role in the upcoming Deadpool 3, although the two actors refused to share further details about the return in typical Marvel fashion. Still, even after this announcement, Wolverine casting rumors persist online, including one that names Jackman's Greatest Showman co-star Zac Efron as Wolverine.
Efron responded to this rumor in a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. After Fallon asked whether Efron was aware of rumors that Marvel was looking for a "Zac Efron type" or that he'd been cast as the MCU's Wolverine, the actor appeared open to an MCU role, but perhaps not Wolverine specifically. Check out Efron's response below:
“Wow, they could just call me. I think Hugh’s still doing that pretty well. I got to give it to him.”
Who Could Zac Efron Play In The MCU?
The rumor that Marvel was looking for a "Zac Efron type" began to appear around 2019 in connection with the studio casting Moon Knight's Marc Spector and Eternals' Ikaris, but it is still possible that Efron could be joining the MCU in the near future. Not only could Efron appear in one of the many planned MCU projects Marvel has already announced – perhaps, as the Human Torch in Fantastic Four? – but he may also still fill Jackman's shoes as Wolverine. With Phase 4's exploration of the multiverse, it's possible that Jackman's Wolverine will be just one of the variants present in the MCU. Efron could appear as another variant if Jackman's Deadpool 3 appearance is his last.
Efron seems like a natural choice for the MCU with his previous experience that ranges from comedy, action, and drama, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he joined as one of the X-Men, especially since this isn't the first time he's expressed an interest. Interestingly, Efron's responses to Fallon's questioning aren't very straightforward. This behavior is typical of MCU actors who must abide by Marvel's tight-lipped policies, although that doesn't guarantee that Efron has been in talks with the studio. Until Marvel confirms otherwise, Efron will remain one of many actors named by the MCU rumor mill.