Wolverine is one of the most famous comic book characters of all time. He’s a mutant with animal-like senses, enhanced physical strength and retractable claws. He’s one of Marvel’s most popular anti-heroes. He’s appeared in the animated series, video games and the live-action X-Men franchise. Hugh Jackman portrayed the character for 17 years in the movie series. The character appeared in several X-Men films as well as solo films. He’s been featured in merchandise and marketing. He’s known for his rebellious, no-nonsense attitude. He remains one of Marvel’s most recognizable superheroes.
Initially, Wolverine didn’t remember anything about his past and how he became Wolverine. It was slowly revealed over time. Despite being a world-famous superhero there are some facts fans might not know about him. In fact, he might not even know them either. He has a dark and mysterious past that has slowly been answered. However, behind the scenes of the comic book and films, a lot has gone on that fans might be unaware of. Here is a look at 25 Random Facts About Wolverine That Not Even True Fans Know.
25 Wolverine Was Only Intended To Be A Supporting Character
Wolverine was never intended to become the breakout star that he did. He was initially just a supporting character. He first appeared in the final panel of The Incredible Hulk #180. He appeared as a rival to the Hulk in the following issue. Later, he was re-introduced as a member of the X-Men and would go on to be one of the most popular characters. He proved to be so popular that he eventually got his own solo comic book title.
24 Creator Len Wein Makes No Money From Character
Writer Len Wein co-created Wolverine with artists John Romita Sr. and Herb Trimpe. Wein wrote a majority of Wolverine’s early story. He wrote Wolverine’s debut in The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181. He also included the character in the X-Men reboot in 1975. Later, writer Chris Claremont would take over the character and transform him into one of Marvel’s most famous stars. However, Wein received only $350 for his work on the character. He received no money or royalties over the years for creating the character until the release of The Wolverine in 2013.
23 Russell Crowe Turned Down The Role
Hugh Jackman portrayed Wolverine for roughly 17 years. It’s hard to imagine any other actor taking on the role of Wolverine. However, Jackman wasn’t the first choice to take on the role. Director Bryan Singer actually offered the role to Russell Crowe first. Crowe turned down the role and it went to actor Dougray Scott. However, Singer eventually cast Jackman in the role. It worked out for the best since Jackman is the perfect actor to portray Wolverine.
22 Dougray Scott Was Cast As Wolverine First
As noted, Hugh Jackman was not the first choice to play Wolverine. The role initially went to actor Dougray Scott. He was slated to star in the first X-Men film and had done a few weeks worth of work. He also portrayed the villain in Mission: Impossible 2. Shooting for Mission Impossible went over schedule and Scott was injured in an accident. He was forced to drop out as Wolverine. At the very last minute, Bryan Singer cast Jackman in the role.
21 Wolverine Was Meant To Be A Teenager
Wolverine ages at a much slower rate than the average person and lives longer. That’s partially because of his incredible healing abilities. However, he’s always been portrayed as a mean old man that could do some serious damage. That wasn’t the original plan though. Originally, he was meant to be a teenager when first introduced. However, his face wasn’t shown until a few issues later. Artist Dave Cockrum drew him as an adult and everyone loved the idea better than the original.
20 Bryan Singer and Darren Aronofsky Almost Directed The Wolverine
For years there had been several attempts to bring Wolverine and the other X-Men to the big screen. However, the project stalled in developmental hell for years. In 2001, Bryan Singer finally brought the whole team to the big screen and is credited with revitalizing the superhero genre. After the success of X-Men, rumors began to swirl about a possible solo Wolverine film. Singer turned down the offer to direct. Darren Aronofsky was then slated to direct the solo project but ended up leaving. James Mangold took over and directed the film, which received positive reviews.
19 He Has Enhanced Senses
Wolverine has many different superpowers and abilities. He’s most famous for his retractable claws but his enhanced senses play a crucial role in his survival. He has animal-like senses that make it nearly impossible to sneak up on him. He has incredible sight and can see great distances even at night. He also has enhanced hearing and smell. He can sniff out an enemy before he breaks a sweat. In fact, his sense of smell and hearing often help him determine if someone is lying.
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18 Claws Were Originally Part of His Gloves
As noted, Wolverine has many superpowers but he’s best known because of his retractable claws. He had adamantium forcibly fused to his bones when he was imprisoned in the Weapon X Program. The claws rip through his skin but due to his healing capabilities, the pain doesn’t last long. When he was first created there was no intention for him to become so popular. Initially when he appeared his claws were actually part of the costume. The writers had no idea what he looked like underneath and the claws were just attached to his gloves. Later, his extensive backstory would change the character.
17 Wolverine vs. Lobo
DC and Marvel characters have crossed over on several occasions. In 1996, the two imprints decided to pit their greatest characters against each other. For example, Superman fought the Hulk and Batman fought Captain America. The winner was decided by a fan vote. Wolverine took on one of DC’s most powerful characters Lobo. In fact, Lobo is a difficult rival for Superman to defeat. Fans voted for Wolverine but the writers couldn’t come up with a realistic way for him to win. Most of the fight takes place off-panel behind a bar.
16 Initially Had A Bigger Role In X-Men: Apocalypse
Hugh Jackman has portrayed Wolverine is just about every X-Men film. He’s one of the most popular characters in the X-Men franchise. He made his final appearance in the film Logan. Prior to that, he had a small but memorable role in the movie X-Men: Apocalypse. However, he was originally meant to have a larger role. He was going to show up halfway through the film and be a mentor for the main characters. However, the producers felt this would step on Jennifer Lawrence’s role as Mystique.
15 Smoking Banned In Comics
Wolverine is often seen with a cigar hanging out of his mouth. He was one of many big smokers in the Marvel Universe. He was often depicted on covers smoking as well and it was synonymous with his character. In 2001, Marvel’s editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada decided to ban smoking in the comics. It was a slow process and started with characters like Wolverine. Quesada lost his grandfather to cancer and felt the smoking in comics glamorized it. The ban eventually applied to all characters in the Marvel Universe.
14 Wolverine’s A Member of Several Superhero Teams
Wolverine is one of comic books most famous loners. However, he might think he’s a loner but he doesn’t always act like one. Wolverine has been part of several superhero teams. In fact, he’s been part of more teams than any other character. He’s been a member of 35 different teams and counting. He’s most famously associated with the X-Men but has also been a member of The Avengers. He’s been a member of several other teams, including, The Defenders, S.H.I.E.L.D., Red Guard, Alpha Fight and the Fantastic Four.
13 Australian Wolverine
Wolverine is one of the only Canadian superheroes. Canadians across the country are proud to have him. However, he’s also had some other nationalities thrown in there. At one time, Australia tried to take ownership of the character. In the 80’s, the character appeared in two animated shows. He appeared in an episode of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and in an unaired pilot X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men. In both cases, he was voiced by an Australian voice actor and therefore had an Australian accent. Ironically, an Australian actor Hugh Jackman portrayed Wolverine in the movie franchise.
12 Wolverine’s Mask Had A Different Design
In the comics, Wolverine has one of the most distinctive costumes. It’s often bright yellow with a unique mask. However, Hugh Jackman never wore the outfit in any of the X-Men films. There might have been attempts made but it was never done. Artist Dave Cockrum completed work on the character with a different look. However, Gil Kane drew the cover and changed the mask to the current design without telling anyone. Cockrum loved the new take on the mask and it became permanent.
11 Wolverine And Batman Were Fused Together To Create Dark Claw
In 1996, DC and Marvel came together for the ultimate crossover event. The two imprints came together to form Amalgam Comics. It combined the two comic worlds and fused several of the characters together. The characters of Wolverine and Batman were fused together to create Dark Claw. His backstory combined both Wolverine and Batman’s. Logan Wayne witnessed his parents murder as a child and is later kidnapped by the Weapon X Program. Dark Claw became one of Amalgam Comic’s most popular characters.
10 James Cameron Almost Directed X-Men And Bob Hoskins Was Considered To Portray Wolverine
James Cameron is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. He has directed several classic films, such as, The Terminator, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Titanic and Avatar. In the early 90’s, Cameron wanted to bring Wolverine and the other X-Men to the big screen. In fact, Cameron met with Stan Lee and Chris Claremont several times. Kathryn Bigelow was slated to direct and Bob Hoskins was considered for the role of Wolverine. However, Cameron instead attempted a Spider-Man film.
9 Hugh Jackman Isn’t a Fan of X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman made his final appearance as Wolverine in the hugely popular Logan. Logan was universally praised and is held in high regard. However, that is not the case for all of the X-Men films. In 2009, X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released and starred Jackman. It did well at the box office but was a flop with critics. The lack of positive responses resulted in the cancellation of X-Men Origins: Magneto. Jackman revealed that he isn’t a fan of the film either and felt everyone could have done better, including himself.
8 Wolverine’s Named After Mount Logan
Initially, Wolverine couldn’t remember anything about his past or identity. His past was a mystery to himself, the other characters and comic book fans. Slowly his true identify started to reveal itself. After the Weapon X program, Wolverine went by the name Logan. Later, he discovered that prior to Weapon X he was known as James Howlett. However, he mostly goes by the name Logan. The name Logan is taken from a popular landmark in Canada. He’s named after one of Canada’s largest mountains, Mount Logan.
7 Frank Miller Coined Wolverine’s Famous Catchphrase
Frank Miller is a well-known comic book writer and artist. He has published several highly successful comic books, such as, Daredevil: Born Again, Sin City and The Dark Knight Returns. His work has influenced an entire generation of comic book writers. In the 80’s, he helped Chris Claremont revise the Wolverine character. In fact, it was Frank Miller who coined Wolverine’s most famous catchphrase, which is “I’m the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn’t very nice.”
6 Partially Modelled After Clint Eastwood
Frank Miller played an important role in developing the no-nonsense tough guy that Wolverine became. In 1984, Miller wrote a four-part solo Wolverine series that flushed out the character’s personality. Actor Clint Eastwood influenced Miller and subsequently the character. At the time, Eastwood was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. In fact, Miller modeled Wolverine after Eastwood’s famous character the Man With No Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy. The mini-series would later influence the films X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine.
5 Wolverine vs. Spock
Marvel Comics and the X-Men series have crossed over with several popular titles. One of the most famous crossover events was between the X-Men and Star Trek. In fact, the X-Men have encountered two different Star Trek crews. In 1996, they met Captain Kirk and his Enterprise. During this encounter, Wolverine and Spock had a physical altercation. Spock ordered the X-Men to help him and Wolverine didn’t like being told what to do. He charged at Spock but was easily defeated with the Vulcan never pinch.
4 Wolverine Can Speak 18 Different Languages
Wolverine has many incredible superpowers. He has enhanced physical abilities, quick healing powers, animal-like senses and retractable claws. However, he has one special power that most fans might not know. Wolverine can speak 18 different languages. In addition to English, he fluently speaks Japanese and French. He’s traveled the globe and picked up a few more languages. He can also speak Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Thai, Korean, Arabic, German, Italian, Filipino, and Hindi.
3 Wolverine Was Almost a Badger
Wolverine isn’t just one of the most famous comic book characters of all time. He’s also the most famous Canadian Marvel character. In 1974, Wolverine was first introduced and was only intended to be a supporting character. Marvel wanted to create a Canadian character in an attempt to bring in more readers from Canada. Len Wein decided to base the character on an animal that lives in Canada. The two options he came down to were Wolverine and Badger. He might have still been the supercool anti-hero but it would have been difficult to take The Badger as seriously.
2 The Son Of Sabertooth
Wolverine’s greatest and oldest rival is Sabertooth. They were both in the Weapon X Program during the Cold War. Sabertooth always viewed Wolverine has his competition. Sabertooth has beast-like abilities, claws, and fangs. Initially, Chris Claremont had intended for Sabertooth to be Wolverine’s father. However, he was changed to a rival instead. The idea was Wolverine was in his 60’s and Sabertooth was 150 years old. The idea was dropped and they went in a different direction. The comic book series confirmed they’re not father and son.
1 Wolverine Was Almost Written Out For Not Being Exciting Enough
Despite becoming one of Marvel’s most popular characters there was a time when Wolverine was almost written out for not being exciting enough. In 1975, Wolverine was included in the X-Men revival. Writers Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont considered dropping the character from the series. He wasn’t as developed as the other characters and seemed boring to the writers. However, Canadian artist John Byrne pushed for the character to remain because he didn’t want to see Marvel’s only Canadian superhero written off.
Sources: wegotthiscovered, screenrant, screencrush
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