Hugh Jackman’s portrayal ofWolverineis legendary, but certain scenes from hisMarvelmovie history have not aged well. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine became the central figure in theX-Menfranchise.Wolverine’s journey spanned multiple films, both in ensemble X-Men movies and his solo adventures, allowing Jackman to portray a character of immense depth and complexity. However, not every moment of his time as Wolverine holds up to modern scrutiny. Some scenes, which were once considered iconic, now feel outdated or inconsistent.
As superhero films have evolved, some of Jackman’s moments as Wolverine have failed to keep up with the genre’s maturation. Whether due to awkward writing, clumsy visual effects, or tonal inconsistencies, these scenes are reminders of the growing pains superhero films faced in their early days. While Jackman’s performance is largely celebrated, certain scenes now feel out of place and detract from the otherwise iconic status of his portrayal of the mutant anti-hero.
10Wolverine Steals Cyclops’s Motorbike
X-Men (2000)
InX-Men(2000), Wolverine’s impulsive action of stealing Cyclops’s motorbike stands out as an early attempt to make the character feel rebellious and cool. However, the scene comes across as silly and juvenile when viewed through a modern lens. The moment isexaggerated and almost cartoonishin its execution – a tone compounded by the dated CGI. While Wolverine’s rebellious nature was central to his character, this scene doesn’t capture the gravitas that would later define his role in the X-Men films.
10 Most Impressive Displays Of Power In All 7 X-Men Movies
The X-Men movie franchise is packed with incredibly powerful characters who have exhibited some truly awesome displays of power throughout.
The comedic tone and exaggerated actions feel forced, making this moment seem out of place in a film that would later go on to explore deeper emotional themes. It doesn’t really add anything to the narrative. The ridiculous super-speed button that propels the bike at breakneck speeds isparticularly pointless.It’s a stark contrast to the more nuanced Wolverine portrayed in later films.
9Hugh Jackman’s First Shirtless Scene
Hugh Jackman’s first shirtless scene inX-Men(2000) takes place during a cage fight where Wolverine faces off against an opponent. While this moment was intended to show off Jackman’s physique and establish Wolverine as a fierce fighter, it nowfeels inconsistent with later films. InX-Men(2000), Jackman’s Wolverine is noticeably leaner, lacking the muscle mass seen in subsequent films likeThe Wolverine(2013) andLogan(2017).
The discrepancy in his physique makes the scene feel out of place, as subsequentX-Menmovies set both before and after feature a more ripped and muscular Wolverine. The focus on his physical appearance, while not a major plot point, highlights the changing trends in superhero aesthetics, making this early shirtless scene feel like a product of its time. Though certainly still impressive, Jackman’s leaner frame inX-Mencreated an inconsistency years later.
8Wolverine’s Claws Are Cut Off
The Wolverine
InThe Wolverine(2013), one of the most shocking moments occurs when the Silver Samurai cut off Wolverine’s claws. At the time, this was a significant development, but in retrospect, it caused a continuity issue withX-Men: Days of Future Past(2014), where Wolverine’s metal claws are intact. The loss of his claws should have been a pivotal moment in his character’s journey, butthe discrepancy between the two films diminishes its impact.
25 Years Ago, The Original X-Men Movie Almost Made A More Controversial Wolverine Change Than Casting An Actor As Tall As Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman’s above average stature was a point on contention when Fox was making X-Men (2000), but they almost made a far more grating change.
The scene’s emotional weight is overshadowed by this contradiction, as it becomes clear that Wolverine’s claws were not permanently lost. This inconsistency feels like a missed opportunity to explore the character’s vulnerability more meaningfully and undermines the stakes of the battle with the Silver Samurai. What should have been the beginning of anew arc for the hero was quickly forgotten.
7Logan Remembers Yashida
InThe Wolverine(2013), Logan has vivid memories of Yashida, his former lover’s grandfather who he met during World War II. However, this is problematic because ofhis memory loss establishedinX-Men(2000) and depicted inX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009). These depicted Wolverine as having no recollection of his past, including significant events and people from his life.
However,The Wolverinecontradicts this by showing Logan remembering Yashida, which creates a confusing continuity issue. This lapse in memory logic makes it difficult to engage with Logan’s character arc, as itraises distracting questionsabout which parts of his past he can recall and why. There are numerous plot holes in the notoriously confusingX-Mencontinuity, but this one is particularly perplexing. It completely undermines theX-Men Originsclimax in which Wolverine violently loses his memories.
6Wolverine Meets the X-Men
InX-Men(2000), Wolverine’s first meeting with the X-Men is awkwardly handled, especially in the introduction of the mutants’ codenames. The dialogue feels forced, Charles Xavier delivers their iconic names with little conviction, to which Wolverine reacts by mockingly calling it the“stupidest thing he’s ever heard.”The moment may have been intended to deconstruct the movie slightly and create some levity, but instead, it feels like the film isembarrassed by the superhero aspectsof its characters.
10 Ways Watching X-Men: The Animated Series Is Now Totally Different 28 Years Later
The X-Men mythology has evolved so much that watching X-Men: TAS now reveals some fascination inconsistencies and unexpected developments.
The way the codenames are presented undercuts the movie’s potential to embrace its comic book roots, and Wolverine’s dismissive tone adds to the awkwardness. In hindsight, this scene highlights the film’sreluctance to commit to its superhero premise fully. Today, with the rise of more successful superhero films that embrace their origins, the moment feels particularly clunky and out of step with the genre’s growth.
5The CGI Claws
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
One of the most glaring flaws inX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009) is the use of CGI for Wolverine’s claws. The CGI claws used throughout are a massive downgrade fromX-Men(2000) and other live-action counterparts. They are especially poor when Wolverine escapes Weapon X and stays with the Hudsons. His claws are clearly rendered with digital effects thatlack the tactile realism of practical propsused in other films.
The poorly executed CGI makes the claws look cheap and fake, taking viewers out of the moment. This moment stands as one of the film’s weakest visual effects, detracting from the tension of Wolverine’s escape andcheapening the overall experience. While CGI was still evolving in 2009, the claws’ artificial appearance stands in stark contrast to the much more seamless visual effects in later X-Men films, making this sequence feel outdated and underwhelming in comparison.
4The Helicopter Crash Superhero Walk
InX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009), one of the most absurd moments is when Wolverine walks away from a helicopter crash in slow motion, looking entirely unfazed by the explosion behind him. While this was likely meant to establish Wolverine as a badass hero, it nowfeels like a cliché action movie moment. The “hero walking away from an explosion” trope, which was already on the rise in 2009, has since become a source of ridicule for its overuse and lack of nuance.
10 Things About X-Men: The Animated Series That Have Aged Poorly
X-Men: The Animated Series may be iconic and quintessential, but certain aspects do not hold up to modern scrutiny and highlight the show’s age.
Wolverine’s superhero walk was pretty silly upon release. RewatchingX-Men Origins: Wolverinenow, the scene now looks more like a parody of superhero films than an authentic, character-defining moment. What could have been a cool visual now isoverly stylized and disconnectedfrom Wolverine’s usually more gritty nature, making it appear even sillier with the benefit of hindsight.
3Battling The Silver Samurai
The climactic battle between Wolverine and the Silver Samurai inThe Wolverine(2013) is over-the-top and relies heavily on CGI to create the illusion of epic scale. The Samurai, who can cut through anything, including adamantium, is depicted in a cartoonish and exaggerated manner,making the final battle feel more like an animated sequence than a real confrontation. The visual effects, while ambitious, lack the weight needed to make the stakes feel genuine.
Instead of a brutal, intense clash, the fight feels bland and uninspired,lacking the emotional punchaudiences might expect from such a highly personal confrontation. The excessive use of CGI cheapens the experience, making the battle feel unearned and underwhelming, especially compared to Wolverine’s previous conflicts. It also reflects the fairly bland choice of the primary antagonist, when Wolverine has several far more dynamic foes.
2Wolverine Is Shot By An Adamantium Bullet
The explanation for Wolverine losing his memory inX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009) involves him being shot in the head by an adamantium bullet, a plot device that doesn’t make sense within the context of his regenerative healing factor. The idea that a bullet made of the same material as his skeleton would cause amnesia isfar-fetched and poorly thought out. Given Wolverine’s healing factor, it’s hard to believe that a bullet, even one made from adamantium, could cause such significant memory loss.
10 Awesome Marvel Characters X-Men: The Animated Series Did Nothing With
X-Men: The Animated Series featured a wealth of classic Marvel characters, but completely squandered some of the most iconic despite their appearance.
The plot device feels contrived and forces the character into a storyline that doesn’t add up, detracting from the emotional impact of his journey. This has since been criticized as one of the weakest aspects ofX-MenOrigins, as it makeslittle logical sense in relation to Wolverine’s powers. Moreover, as mentioned above, Wolverine’s subsequent memory loss becomes somewhat selective byThe Wolverine.
1"What Would You Prefer? Yellow Spandex?"
InX-Men(2000), Wolverine makes a quip about the X-Men’s black leather uniforms, to which Cyclops replies, “What would you prefer? Yellow spandex?”The line was meant to be a playful jab at the idea of translating the colorful, spandex-heavy costumes of the comics onto the big screen. At the time, this comment was a humorous jibe, but it now feels more likean admission of the filmmakers’ reluctance to fully embrace the comic book aesthetic.
With the triumphant success of Wolverine’s comic-accurate costume inDeadpool & Wolverine,the line is incredibly frustrating, as, evidently,audiences would have absolutely preferred the yellow spandex. It feels like another moment where the filmmakers are embarrassed to be making a superhero movie. Indeed, the line is now a reminder of the earlyX-Menmovies’ hesitance to embrace the visual flamboyance of the original comics.
X-Men
Cast
X-Men, released in 2000, introduces Wolverine and Rogue as they join Professor Xavier’s private academy for mutants. The resident superhero team, the X-Men, led by Xavier, confronts a terrorist organization of mutants with similar abilities, highlighting the ongoing conflict between humans and mutants.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine explores the backstory of the iconic mutant Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman. Released in 2009, the film delves into Logan’s journey through the Weapon X program as he seeks revenge for his girlfriend’s death while uncovering complex relationships with other mutants.
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: The Last Stand is the third film in the X-Men series, featuring the conflict between mutants over a newly discovered cure for mutations. The film showcases the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, opposing the Brotherhood, led by Magneto, as tensions escalate within the mutant community.
The Wolverine: This film follows Logan, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, as he undertakes a transformative journey in Japan. Confronted by his most formidable adversaries, Wolverine is pushed to his physical, emotional, and mortal limits while navigating challenges that alter his life and identity forever.
