Hugh Jackman’s Final Heroic Act as Logan Predicted 4 Years Earlier in Wolverine 2!

Warning, spoilers ahead! This article contains spoilers for “The Wolverine” (2013), “Logan” (2017), and “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024). If you haven’t seen them, you might want to stop reading now to avoid spoilers.

A tragic figure in superhero cinema, Wolverine appeared to have made his final bow in “Logan” (2017), a poignant conclusion by director James Mangold. However, “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) reopens the tomb of the mutant to both mock and pay tribute to his legacy. Balancing respect for the myth with meta humor, the film turns Logan’s death into a playground, confirming that, even in death, Wolverine remains an indestructible force on screen.

Indeed, in “The Wolverine” (James Mangold, 2013), Yukio (Rila Fukushima), a mutant who can foresee people’s deaths, tells Logan that she saw him dying, “lying on his back, blood everywhere, his heart in his hand.” This cryptic vision seems to portend an imminent danger, likely the final battle with the Silver Samurai. At first, this prophecy seems to relate to the events of the movie itself. Yet, Logan survives, and the death she described does not occur.

Four years later, in “Logan” (2017), also directed by James Mangold, the meaning of this prediction takes on a tragic and symbolic dimension. The hero, weakened and weary, finally meets his death while protecting his “daughter” clone, Laura (Dafne Keen). In the final scene, he indeed dies lying down, covered in blood, while holding the child’s hand—essentially, his own metaphorical heart. Thus, Yukio’s vision is realized, but years later, in a completely different context.

This continuity, far from being a mere plot inconsistency, illustrates the thematic coherence of Wolverine’s character. His destiny, marked by violence, solitude, and guilt, culminates in an act of sacrifice. Yukio’s prophecy thus functions as a metaphor for Logan’s inevitable fate: he can only die by becoming fully human again, rediscovering his heart through love and lineage.

Deadpool, Wolverine, and the Tomb of the Past

Yet, “Deadpool & Wolverine” revisits this theme—with a quirky twist. In the film directed by Shawn Levy, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), still struggling to find his place after failing to join the Avengers, grudgingly accepts the mundanity of everyday life. However, his life turns upside down when a high-ranking member of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) entrusts him with a risky mission: to save his universe or watch everything disappear.

Refusing to comply, Deadpool dons his costume and decides to seek out Wolverine. He heads to the mutant’s grave, as seen at the end of “Logan.” To his surprise, he finds only an Adamantium skeleton. Suddenly, TVA agents appear—and Deadpool uses them as impromptu weapons, launching a bizarre battle set to NSYNC’s hit “Bye Bye Bye,” in an outrageous opening scene where he fights with Wolverine’s Adamantium bones while mimicking the iconic dance moves! It’s a ludicrous yet delightful mix, true to the irreverent spirit of the masked hero who turns the tragedy of “Logan” into a moment of absurd joy.

And for the record, no, it wasn’t Ryan Reynolds dancing but professional dancer Nick Pauley, as he confirmed himself on Instagram.

Honoring Logan’s Legacy

When Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine was announced, James Mangold expressed some reservations to Variety.

“There’s a part of me that wishes they would leave the character alone. But there will always be more Wolverines. There could be a baby Wolverine and a cartoon Wolverine. They will always try to squeeze as much as they can out of it. Anyway, even though Logan was successful and I ended this Wolverine’s story my way, there will always be other versions of the character to continue the mythology. My version is done.”

Levy and Ryan Reynolds took this sentiment into account: the film does not alter the timeline of “Logan.” The Wolverine of Mangold remains truly dead. Deadpool thus sets out to find another version of the mutant—the one in the iconic yellow suit.

All the aforementioned films are available for streaming on Disney+.

Listen to Shawn Levy talk about the wild opening scene of “Deadpool & Wolverine” in the video below: