Early on in the development process for this year’s Logan, Hugh Jackman’s swansong as everybody’s favorite claw-wielding mutant, a much different version of the movie existed compared to the one audiences saw in theaters roughly two months ago. In particular, early ideas for the film featured the inclusion of Wolverine’s half-brother and fellow mutant, Sabretooth.
In February 2016, it was revealed that Liev Schreiber (Goon: Last of the Enforcers), who starred as Sabretooth in 2009’s hugely disappointing X-Men Origins: Wolverine, was approached by Jackman to return as the character. Ever since, however, few updates have been given about how and why talks fell through.
While promoting his new film Chuck in a recent interview with Variety, Schreiber was asked about Logan and his proposed involvement with the film, to which the actor replied, “There was an invitation early on from Hugh [Jackman] and [director James Mangold] and I would have loved to work on it. It was very difficult given Ray Donovan’s schedule, and I think they went a different direction as well with story.”
SEE ALSO: Black & White ‘Noir’ version of Logan confirmed, will get one-night only theatrical release
“I think it’s a terrific movie,” Schreiber continued. “I’m just very proud of Hugh and the way that he handled himself with that franchise and that character. It was a great experience to be involved with one of them and to get to work with them. I had mixed emotions when I heard that he was going to retire.”
Schreiber expressed his love and support for Jackman and Logan on Twitter, shortly before the film was released as well, with the following post:
@RealHughJackman
…Thank you so much for showing me the ropes and inviting me to be a part of it. Love you brother.
x
Liev#Logan— Liev Schreiber (@LievSchreiber) March 2, 2017
It seems as though Schreiber has no ill-will towards director James Mangold for leaving Sabretooth out and had no problem going to see Logan as a fan. Of course, reintroducing Schreiber’s Sabretooth into the X-Men universe, especially now that Jackman’s time as Wolverine is over, would be unlikely, but you never know. With Fox looking to take things in a different direction with its upcoming 2018 X-Men offerings, it might be nice to have a familiar face floating around onscreen.
Would you like to see Schreiber return to the X-Men universe? Let us know in the comments below!
Originally published April 30, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
