Daniel Radcliffe Wolverine Casting Revealed Thanks To His Muscles?

By Jeffrey Rapaport | Published

daniel radcliffe now you see me
Daniel Radcliffe in Now You See Me 2

Listen: we’re no experts, but if movie roles were determined by muscles alone, then Daniel Radcliffe would undoubtedly necessarily be the next Wolverine. At least that’s what his costars in the upcoming Richard Linklater-directed musical film Merrily We Roll Along, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, think.

As Variety reports, the two recently chided Harry Potter himself during a half-serious lie detector test produced by Vanity Fair for the magazine’s YouTube channel. Groff and Mendez asked Radcliffe, full stop if he originated the rumors that began buzzing about a year ago, hinting that Daniel and his huge muscles might play Wolverine.

Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez asked Daniel Radcliffe if he was getting buff to play Wolverine, denying the Marvel role had anything to do with his changes.

We can’t blame either actor for reigniting the rumor mill, linking the golden boy of Hogwarts to the iconic X-Men character. After all, Daniel Radcliffe is himself partially to blame, having showcased his notably toned physique in the TBS comedy series Miracle Workers, forcing us all to envision him as Wolverine. 

But how truthful are these speculations? Dare we hope? 

History may help to shed some light. As many know, around a year ago, reacting to these juicy rumors, the Merrily We Roll Along boy wizard clarified to fans he harbors no intention of playing everybody’s favorite X-Man.

Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine (2013)

Correspondingly, in Vanity Fair’s lie detector test segment, the actor vehemently—perhaps suspiciously? (only sort of joking)—denied, as mentioned, being the secretive source of these rumors in the first place. Instead, he chalked it up to standard hype and buzz surrounding press touring, placing the blame on erroneously interpreted statements he tends to make when bored of answering the same interview questions. 

Daniel Radcliffe credits his fitness regimen for developing his muscles and maintaining a fit physique.

All of which amounts to bad news for anyone looking eagerly forward to Daniel Radcliffe as Wolverine. But we’re still left wondering—why all the muscle? 

Indeed, we aren’t alone; given his recent muscular transformation, fans and media alike raced to connect the dots and fashion theories. Chief among them, were Radcliffe’s muscles intended exclusively for an adventure with the X-Men

The actor sought to calm the clamor. He provided a much simpler–perhaps too simple? (again, only partially kidding)–explanation, crediting his parents alone with his dedication to his fitness regimen. Having been raised by health-conscious people, the actor inherited a veritable obsessiveness regarding personal health, meaning big muscles and a lean physique. 

…it should be admitted that, as of now, as much as we want Daniel Radcliffe to play Wolverine, he’s still being portrayed by the beloved Hugh Jackman, who figured prominently in the upcoming MCU title, Deadpool 3. 

At least, that’s what Daniel Radcliffe says as he endeavors to distance himself as much from Wolverine speculations as his humongous muscles will allow. 

Daniel Radcliffe in Miracle Workers

But what about his height? After all, Wolverine, as any comic enthusiast will tell you, is not exactly tall. And the actor would be first to point this out and cite it as a potential source for all the enthusiastic rumors. He admitted that many a short actor gets pegged as a potential Wolverine by the media—regardless of whether such a casting is even a remote possibility.

And it should be admitted that, as of now, as much as we want Daniel Radcliffe to play Wolverine, he’s still being portrayed by the beloved Hugh Jackman, who figured prominently in the upcoming MCU title, Deadpool 3. 

Thus, it would seem, for now, the idea of Harry Potter and Wolverine colliding remains an intriguing “what if,” inspired more by biceps than any concrete casting decisions.

But never say never.

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