Hugh Jackman As Wolverine... One Last Time?

Hugh Jackman has become synonymous with his iconic character Wolverine from Marvel's X-Men franchise. Nevertheless, Jackman has hinted that he will retire the role once filming for "Wolverine 3" finishes.

"Wolverine 3" is poised for a March 3, 2017 release. Jackman sparked rumors that the film could be his last as the character when he posted an Instagram photo of the signature metal claws and a clenched fist on Saturday, March 28. The picture was accompanied by the following caption:

Jackman has portrayed Wolverine in the Marvel superhero franchise a total of seven times since 2000. Jackman was last seen as the popular character in the 2014 movie "X-Men: Days of Future Past."

Judging by Jackman's Instagram post, it seems that his final stint as Wolverine before hanging up the claws will be the third, yet-untitled Wolverine movie.

It is also rumored that Wolverine will make an appearance in the upcoming "X-Men: Apocalypse," which is slated for a 2016 release. Wolverine could additionally do a cameo in "Deadpool," another Marvel movie to hit the theaters in 2016.

While Jackman fans may be disappointed, the news is not surprising. In a 2014 interview, the Oscar-winning actor suggested that the sequel to the second Wolverine would likely be it.

"If I did another one, I'm 99.9% sure it would be the last, so that will inform what it is for me,"Jackman said.

However, in a February 2015 interview, Jackman let on that he wished to continue with the character as long as he could.

"I said to my wife, 'The moral is that I should never stop playing Wolverine. I've got to find a way to keep playing him until I die,'" recalled Jackman. "I know that someday they'll recast the role with another actor... I'd be happy if the role was eventually recast. It would mean that it had become iconic."

He's not the only mutant to move on — Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the shape-shifting Mystique, confirmed that "X-Men: Apocalypse" would be her last.