Summary
The future of Wolverine in theMarvel Cinematic Universeis relatively unknown at this point. Hugh Jackman got to portray the classic X-Men star in the MCU as part ofDeadpool & Wolverine, and the fact thatthe movie grossed over $1 billion worldwidemeans it’s very likely that Wolverine will return down the line.
It has been reported that Jackman is set to remain in the role for the next decade, and if that happens, there will no doubt be more movies that dive into his character. That will allow Marvel Studios to put Wolverine against some of his most iconic comic book villains, and that should lead to an obvious decision being made.
Sabertooth Should Be Wolverine’s Next Villain
Out of all the potential villains who Wolverine has fought in Marvel history, Sabertooth is the most obvious option to be brought into the MCU as a villain for Jackman’s character. It’s unclear whether there will be a solo Wolverine movie in the near future or if he will continue working with other characters, such as Deadpool or the rumored Hulk partnership. Regardless of what decision is made, Wolverine should be given a focused villain to face that is specific to him rather than being part of a team ashe was inDeadpool & Wolverine.
Sabertooth has always been shown as a brilliant threat inX-Mencomics because he possesses many strengths similar to those of Wolverine. He’s the ultimate archenemy of the X-Men star, and given that there are so many iconic and entertaining stories that already exist, there’s a lot of content that Marvel can tap into with these characters. That would create a fun movie, and even if this takes placewithin anX-Menfilm, it would still work because Sabertooth is someone who can be kept around for a long time to be a constant nemesis that never gives Wolverine a break.
Sabertooth Deserves To Be Taken Seriously In The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Sabertooth is arguably Wolverine’s greatest villain in his story’s history, which is why he has been showcased in various previous movies by Fox. However, Sabertooth has never quite been taken as seriously as he should have been, often being a supporting character rather than the legitimate threat that Wolverine has to deal with and overcome. That was shown inDeadpool & Wolverinewhen Tyler Mane was brought back to make a cameo appearance as Sabertooth. But, much like inthe previousX-Menfilms, he wasn’t the main threat and didn’t get the focus that he deserved. That’s something that many Marvel fans want to see because Sabertooth is a genuinely popular villain who people want to see.
He is often seen as a psychopath who has brilliant senses, razor-sharp claws, strength, and regenerative healing powers that make him very similar to Wolverine. It means that he cannot overpower Sabertooth, which would allow them to feel like they’re on the same level. That’s a problem that Marvel has often had with villains, making them significantly weaker than the hero, which stopped them from creating an engaging style in which audiences can get lost.If Sabertooth is adequately written, then that wouldn’t be a problem, as it would be easy for Marvel to put him on the same level as Wolverine to make him a genuine threat.
This Could Create Some Unforgettable Fight Scenes Within The Marvel Cinematic Universe
The main reason why Marvel Studios should bring Sabertooth into the MCU in a serious, fresh manner, rather than how he was used inDeadpool & Wolverine,is because it could create some intense and enjoyable fight scenes. Wolverine is at his best when he’s able to show his power and have back-and-forth fights against someone who can match him. It’s one of the reasons audiences were desperate to see him and Deadpool fight because they’re well-matched. That is similar to Sabertooth, and having them brawl with their intense nature would allow them to make their movie feel rather unique due to its potentially violent nature. That wouldfollow on nicely fromDeadpool & Wolverinewhich was an R-rated movie, and continuing to tap into those audiences would be a wise move for Marvel.
Ultimately, making Sabertooth the next main villain for Wolverine will force Marvel Studios to create a storyline specific to his character. That’s what people want to see for Wolverine if he’s going to continue being in the MCU. He’s such a beloved character that it’s pointless not tomake him a focal point within the franchise. However, much like other top characters in theMCU, like Iron Man or Ant-Man, Wolverine needs to be given a villain that concentrates on him that can be built up and potentially called upon in the multiple movies so audiences have a reason to dedicate themselves to the storyline.
