Hugh Jackman Absolutely Deserves an Oscar Nomination for Deadpool & Wolverine

Hugh Jackman Absolutely Deserves an Oscar Nomination for Deadpool & Wolverine

As a long-time Marvel fan and cinephile, I wholeheartedly believe that Hugh Jackman deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine. The idea of him getting recognition for a comic book movie may seem far-fetched to some, but the depth and complexity of his portrayal of Logan transcends genre boundaries.


Although the box office run of Deadpool and Wolverine might be nearing its end, the battle for prestigious awards recognition is heating up! Notably, a recent article revealed Disney and Marvel Studios’ strategies for various award nominations for Deadpool and Wolverine. The intriguing tidbit in this report was that Marvel Studios intends to secure an Oscar nomination for Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine, in the top category of “Best Supporting Actor.

For a lot of cinephiles, the idea of Hugh Jackman getting Oscar considerations for a Deadpool may seem outrageous. However, there’s actually a lot of deeper subtext to Jackman’s performance in Deadpool & Wolverine that makes it wholly deserving of an Academy Award nomination. Let’s break down why.

There Were Levels to It

Hugh Jackman Absolutely Deserves an Oscar Nomination for Deadpool & Wolverine

In the comic series titled “Deadpool & Wolverine“, Hugh Jackman portrays an alternate version of Logan/Wolverine residing in a universe without a designated number. Here, he was out drinking when anti-mutant forces launched a sudden, devastating attack, annihilating the entire X-Men team and countless other mutants. In response, Wolverine descended into a frenzy of violence, indiscriminately killing both the guilty and innocent, leading to his ostracization on his planet. The plot of “Deadpool & Wolverine” revolves around Wade Wilson/Deadpool attempting to lift Logan out of his despair by offering him a new mission: saving Deadpool’s universe, Earth-10005.

In the movie, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine faces a comprehensive examination of his screen presence, ranging from the early, action-packed X-Men films to the somber, mature tales within the franchise such as Logan. Furthermore, Deadpool and Wolverine shared a unique bond, symbolizing the entire Marvel movie era under 20th Century Fox, with Jackman’s Wolverine serving as their emblematic figure (or “staple”). The film boasts several instances – both significant and subtle, dramatic and comedic – that directly acknowledge Jackman as an actor and individual rather than his onscreen persona. These moments explore the emotional toll of his Wolverine roles, potentially delving into his personal reservations about his superhero film legacy and artistic significance in cinema.

During the Fox-Marvel era, the level of acclaim and box office earnings didn’t match those of its successor, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine had as many flops, such as X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as it did hits like X-Men (2000), X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Logan. It’s not hard to imagine the feelings of dissatisfaction or jealousy that Jackman might have felt as he watched the MCU ascend to prominence, while the Fox-Marvel Universe was increasingly criticized and derided in comparison. His roles in Deadpool and Wolverine may have served as a cathartic process for Jackman to deal with those feelings and demonstrate that his version of Wolverine was deserving enough to participate in the MCU.

Why Hugh Jackman Deserves An Oscar for Deadpool & Wolverine

Hugh Jackman Absolutely Deserves an Oscar Nomination for Deadpool & Wolverine

It’s well-known that the Oscars tend to favor films that delve into the lives and creative journeys of artists. Recent years have seen numerous Oscar nominations for such artist-focused movies, including Bradley Cooper’s Maestro (2023), and A Star Is Born (2018), as well as American Fiction, Tar, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Steven Spielberg’s Meet the Fablemans, David Fincher’s Mank, Sound of Metal, and others.

Despite the fact that Deadpool & Wolverine was filled with the vibrant, comical elements typical of a comic book movie, as well as the humor and action associated with a raunchy comedy, it’s important not to ignore the deeper layers related to Hugh Jackman’s career as Wolverine. After more than two decades playing Logan, Jackman continued to innovate and challenge himself in his Deadpool & Wolverine portrayal, both physically and emotionally. Few other Supporting Actors put forth such a diverse range of efforts this year.

Logan Deserved It

Hugh Jackman Absolutely Deserves an Oscar Nomination for Deadpool & Wolverine

To wrap up, let’s not forget the controversial practice known as the ‘Conciliation Oscar’. Fans of Marvel have expressed disappointment since the 2018 Oscars, as Hugh Jackman was snubbed for a ‘Best Actor’ nomination despite his stellar performance in Logan. Many believe he deserves recognition, and they propose that a role in Deadpool or Wolverine, which further develops the character from Logan, would be an ideal way to honor him.

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2024-09-26 19:40