What Comes After Logan in the Wolverine Story
After Logan (2017) concludes the original X-Men film series, the next Wolverine-focused project is the 2022 animated film Old Man Logan, which adapts the influential comic storyline and reframes the future of the character. Unlike earlier Fox Wolverine movies, Old Man Logan exists outside the live-action continuity and is part of the X-Men animated series landscape. Later, Wolverine returns in the Marvel Cinematic Universe via Disney+ series and multiverse-linked media, including the upcoming Deadpool 3, which integrates Wade Wilson with Logan in a shared timeline reboot. This article explains these entries clearly and how they fit the broader Wolverine story after Logan.
Key Wolverine Projects After Logan
Because Wolverine is a cornerstone character, developers have used several formats to continue his story. The projects below represent the most notable entries in the post-Logan era, spanning animation, live-action multiverse, and upcoming integrations.
Old Man Logan (2022 animated film)
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Disney+, Old Man Logan brings the seminal comic event to screen, in which an older Wolverine lives in exile. It serves as a bridge between earlier Fox material and the modern animated universe, maintaining the tone and legacy of the character without contradicting current live-action continuity. The film was originally developed for television before shifting to a feature-length release on streaming.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and Future MCU Integration
Deadpool & Wolverine, released in 2024, places Logan inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Wade Wilson for the first time in live-action. It uses multiverse mechanics to acknowledge prior Wolverine appearances while establishing a refreshed timeline. Future MCU stories, including Disney+ series, continue to reference Logan as a foundational element of the evolving mutant landscape, setting up long-term character presence beyond the initial team-up.
Verifiable Project Details at a Glance
| Title | Release Year | Format | Continuity Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Man Logan | 2022 | Animated feature | Standalone future-set story; part of X-Men animated franchise |
| Deadpool & Wolverine | 2024 | Live-action feature | MCU integration; multiverse acknowledgment of prior timelines |
Timeline Context and Franchise Relationships
The timeline of Wolverine after Logan moves from a closed, grounded conclusion to one that embraces genre flexibility. The animated Old Man Logan establishes a potential future without interfering with ongoing live-action continuity. The MCU’s approach, exemplified by Deadpool & Wolverine, treats Logan as an anchor point that can be referenced, revisited, and integrated across phases. This relationship clarifies how later projects coexist and which elements remain definitive within the primary shared universe.
Production History and Evolution
Development of live-action Wolverine sequels after Logan initially explored continuation paths within the Fox framework and 20th Century Studios. Those concepts shifted in 2019 with the acquisition by Disney, redirecting Wolverine into the Marvel Studios ecosystem. As a result, animated projects such as Old Man Logan gained prominence, while live-action plans focused on multiverse strategies and eventual integration with the MCU. The evolution illustrates a deliberate transition from legacy Fox continuity to a shared, multiverse-aware model.
Comparative Overview
Below is a concise comparison of how each major post-Logan Wolverine project approaches continuity, tone, and audience scope:
- Old Man Logan (2022): Animated, future-set, self-contained story consistent with X-Men animated series; separate from live-action continuity.
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): Live-action MCU entry; uses multiverse to acknowledge past appearances while establishing new status quo.
- Future MCU Wolverine appearances: Planned through series and cross-film integrations; treated as canonical within the shared universe.
Audience Context and Ongoing Story Threads
For viewers asking what comes after Logan, the answer spans both niche animated fare and high-profile MCU crossovers. Old Man Logan appeals to fans who want a darker, mature animated interpretation, while Deadpool & Wolverine opens long-term narrative possibilities in the shared universe. Neither replaces the emotional closure of Logan, but each expands Wolverine’s presence into new genres and continuity models, reflecting the character’s enduring popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Old Man Logan connected to the live-action X-Men films? No; it is an animated film and exists within its own continuity, separate from the Fox live-action series.
- Does Deadpool & Wolverine erase Logan? No; it treats Logan as a canonical figure within the MCU multiverse while respecting the conclusion of his standalone story.
- What’s next for Wolverine after Deadpool & Wolverine? Future MCU appearances are planned through Disney+ series and additional films, integrating Wolverine into the broader shared universe.
- Should I watch Old Man Logan if I liked Logan? Yes, if you enjoy grounded, character-focused Wolverine stories with a darker tone and a mature setting.
Wrap-Up
The next Wolverine movie after Logan in terms of narrative and franchise evolution is the animated Old Man Logan, with the live-action MCU integrating the character via Deadpool & Wolverine. These projects employ different tones and continuities but honor the legacy established by the original concluding film. Understanding these distinctions helps audiences place each entry within the broader Wolverine story and anticipate future developments across animated and shared-universe formats.