Find out why Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine doesn’t appear in the third season of What If…?

The Marvel animated series omitted the famous version of Wolverine for unexpected reasons

AS What if…? As season 3 heads towards its expected conclusion, fans have started to notice one notable absence: Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. After his triumphant return to Deadpool and Wolverine This year many expected to see the iconic mutant with adamantium claws in this chapter of the Marvel animated universe. However, this did not happen and the director of the series, Bryan Andrews, has finally explained the reasons for this decision which has left more than one wanting to do more.

Why didn’t Wolverine make it to season 3?

According to Bryan Andrews, the lack of clarity on the rights of the character was the main obstacle. During an interview with Brandon Davis of Hero of the stageAndrews shared how legal complications put a damper on plans to include the popular X-Men.

“We could have used Hugh’s Wolverine, you know? I think when we were working on this episode we didn’t even know if that purchase had happened [de los derechos de los X-Men] It had already been done,” Andrews revealed. “We were too involved in the process, choosing things and producing. Then there was that deal where we finally got all those live-action X-Men back, and it was like, ‘Argh!’ Because we could have used any of them.

The problem was in synchronization between legal agreements and production of the series, which was already well underway before Marvel secured full rights to the mutant characters. This, unfortunately, ruled out Logan, despite the excitement generated by his return to the big screen.

The storm had its moment

While Wolverine didn’t make it into the series, another prominent member of the X-Men did. Storm played an important role thanks to the launch of X-Men ’97which facilitated their access within the universe of What if…?. Andrews explained: “X-Men ’97 “It was already out, so that gave us access to her, but technically, also any other X-Men we wanted.”

This inclusion left open the possibility of using more X-Men characters in the future, but the lack of synchronization with Wolverine was a missed opportunity that both creators and fans regretted.

Wolverine’s legacy and its impact on the Marvel Universe

The character of Wolverine, masterfully played by Hugh Jackman since 2000, is considered one of the Marvel’s most beloved icons. His mix of brutality, charisma and vulnerability made him a fan favorite, making a difference in the films of X-Men. With a narrative focused on his internal struggle and search for redemption, Wolverine represents the more human side of superheroessomething that has always connected with the public.

Despite his absence in the third season, Wolverine remains a reference for the franchise, not only for his films, but for his influence on other Marvel characters. His impact can be compared to that of similar heroes Iron Man or Spider-Manwho have also defined generations with their stories. This specific absence in the series opens the doors to future projectswhere Wolverine could be instrumental in exploring new realities within the MCU.

A series that never ceases to surprise

The third season of What if…? It began on December 22, 2024, premiering one episode per day until ending on December 29. The series explored alternate realities of the Marvel Universe, reinventing heroes and villains in surprising contexts.

Despite not having Wolverine, the season managed to stand out for its creativity, including iconic characters and unexpected twists that keep fans hooked. With eight episodes, this episode promises to close another chapter of the vast Marvel animated universe in style.