The debate surrounding Wolverine’s age has resurfaced with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, as the character’s cinematic origins continue to blur and diverge. Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine had concluded with 2017’s Logan, introducing a new timeline that further complicates the matter. X-Men: Days of Future Past had already presented a puzzle, but Logan’s on-screen origins provide a framework for scrutinizing the character’s age.
Wolverine is typically depicted as being well over 100 years old, with his comic book origin story tracing back to 19th-century Canada. Born James Howlett, he discovered his mutant powers as a young boy between 1897 and 1907, making him over 100 years old in the 21st century. However, the character’s age is mired in contradictions, with X-Men: Prelude to Schism #4 stating Wolverine was born in 1982, contradicting the birth of his older brother in 1885 as detailed in the Origin series.
Wolverine in Deadpool and Wolverine (Photo: Marvel)
The live-action films have also contributed to the mystery surrounding Wolverine’s age. X-Men Origins: Wolverine posits that Logan first discovered his powers in 1845, 50 years before his origin story in the comics. The film takes creative liberties with his rivalry with Sabretooth, portraying them as brothers rather than mortal enemies. Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine is distinct from the comics, with the character’s history diverging in the 1970s. Despite this, the actor’s portrayal remains rooted in the original comics, with Wolverine’s age remaining a mystery.
By examining Logan’s on-screen origins and the comics, we can estimate that Wolverine is likely over 100 years old, with the possibility of the character reaching 200 years or more if Hugh Jackman continues playing the role. Wolverine’s age remains shrouded in mystery, with his exact birthdate still uncertain in both the comics and films.
