Hugh Jackman’s Shredded Wolverine Physique Should End Every Debate About His Sleeves

Summary

• Hugh Jackman’s physical commitment still shines as he prepares for his MCU debut as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
• Fans excited for Deadpool & Wolverine will see Jackman rocking a comic-accurate blue-and-yellow costume that will appear both with and without its controversial sleeves.
• Fan disagreement over these sleeves revolves around Wolverine often not having sleeves on his costume in the comics.

Hugh Jackman is still at peak physical performance, with or without the Wolverine costume sleeves, as he gears up for his MCU debut in Deadpool and Wolverine. The third Deadpool movie will mark the much-awaited reunion of Ryan Reynold’s Merc-with-a-Mouth and Jackman’s adamantium-clawed X-Men hero. While it was known that the Deadpool & Wolverine story would have some time-traveling and dimension-hopping involved, the latest trailer also introduced Cassandra Nova as the movie’s main villain. The clip also offered a closer look at Jackman in Wolverine’s comic-accurate blue-and-yellow costume, this time without the controversial sleeves.

Ever since the first Deadpool & Wolverine teasers dropped, the sleeves in the mutant’s costume became a bone of contention among fans. Jackman’s Wolverine costume in Deadpool & Wolverine might still not include the classic mask, but it satisfies comic book readers with details like blue shoulder pads, a belt with an X logo, and sheaths for his claws. After years of donning tight stealth suits in the Fox X-Men movies, Wolverine changes his wardrobe for brighter colors. And most importantly, as the new trailer reveals, he also has an excuse to show off his shredded arm muscles.

Hugh Jackman’s Arms Justify Wolverine Not Having Sleeves

The 55-Year-Old Actor Still Displays Peak Physique

Hugh Jackman redefined Wolverine with the character’s trademark nonchalant attitude and dry humor. In later outings like The Wolverine and Loganthe Oscar-nominated actor also added more emotional depth to the character. But apart from his dramatic prowess, what makes Jackman the quintessential Wolverine actor is also his physical commitment. The Deadpool & Wolverine trailer proves that 55-year-old Jackman is still ripped like his comic book counterpart, as is evident from his bulging biceps and veined arms. The character is introduced in his usual leather jacket, but the trailer quickly gives way to a sleeveless look in a blue-and-yellow costume.

Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine has evolved a lot in the X-Men movies with a visible bulking-up over the years, thanks to the actor relying on carefully monitored diet plans and workout routines. Ahead of preparing for his Wolverine return in 2023, he also told The Late Show host Stephen Colbert about how he was building up to 6,000 calories per day, and he had already “split his pants three times” for costume trials. Jackman also avoids any pharmaceutical aid and sticks to what he calls “the old-school way”. His physical commitment makes the costume’s sleeveless look all the more logical.

Why Wolverine’s Sleeves Are So Controversial In Deadpool & Wolverine

Wolverine’s Sleeves Have Been A Point Of Contention Among Audiences

When Wolverine made his comic debut in The Incredible Hulk #181, the mutant was decked up in a costume that suited his feral, animal-like nature. The bulky shoulder pads and long-eyed mask perfectly complemented his bicep-adorned, sleeveless arms. Wolverine’s costume has changed colors in future iterations, but he has mostly stuck to this sleeveless look. Many comic book aficionados shared the desire to see Hugh Jackman in such a comic-accurate, dual-color costume. That’s why some fans of the character were perturbed to see the actor in a full-sleeve appearance when the earliest behind-the-scenes stills of Deadpool & Wolverine were released.

At the same time, some jumped to Jackman’s defense, considering that he had received multiple treatments for basal cell carcinoma (a kind of skin cancer). Jackman notably got a cancerous growth removed from his nose in 2013. Since then, he has repeatedly urged people to wear “sunscreen with a high level of SPF” (via Instagram), no matter the season. Considering that Deadpool & Wolverine features several outdoor fighting scenes, it made sense that this might translate to covering the actor’s arms. But now, it’s clear that the movie will feature Jackman’s Wolverine also occasionally ditching the sleeves.

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