"The Bear" star Jeremy Allen White is getting real about that infamous Marvel meeting, admitting his approach was "out of line" and sharing his thoughts on those popular Wolverine fan castings.
TL;DR
- Jeremy Allen White now regrets his "out of line" attitude during a past Marvel Studios meeting.
- He clarified his hesitation wasn't genre-hate but uncertainty about fitting into the expansive MCU.
- He addressed Wolverine fan-casting, praising Hugh Jackman while admitting he's not generally a "superhero-movie guy."
Jeremy Allen White is undeniably one of Hollywood's most exciting talents right now. From his long-running role as Lip Gallagher in "Shameless" to his current, critically adored performance as Carmy Berzatto in FX's "The Bear," he's proven he can command a screen with intense emotion and raw authenticity. With a Golden Globe and Emmy already under his belt, it's no surprise that his name has been linked to major franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, the path to a potential Marvel role for White has been, shall we say, a bit... spicy. A while back, whispers started circulating about a "Marvel-y movie" meeting that didn't exactly go to plan. Now, White is reflecting on that encounter with a healthy dose of hindsight and honesty, and he's not holding back on what he thinks he got wrong.
Unpacking That Infamous Marvel Studios Meeting and His Candid ReflectionsThe story first made headlines in November 2023, when Jeremy Allen White gave an interview to GQ. In it, he casually dropped a bomb: he'd had a meeting with Marvel executives and, by his own admission, "I think I played it all wrong." His bold move? He asked the Marvel bigwigs to "tell me about why I should do your movie." Not exactly the usual approach for an actor hoping to land a coveted superhero role, right?
Fast forward to a recent appearance on the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast with host Josh Horowitz, and White decided to delve deeper into that moment, offering a refreshingly candid confession. He clarified that his behavior wasn't his best, expressing genuine regret over his initial dismissiveness.
"That was out of line. That was, again, me sort of not being entirely invited to the party, and being, like, 'I don't even wanna go anyway.' But yes, I had a meeting that I probably could have handled differently, for sure."
— Jeremy Allen White, on the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast
It's a relatable sentiment, that feeling of putting up a guard when you're not sure you belong. White's comments paint a picture of an actor who, while talented and in demand, might have felt a touch out of his element in the high-stakes, franchise-driven world of Marvel at that particular moment. He acknowledges that his attitude likely cost him the opportunity, and he's owning up to it now.
Jeremy Allen White from 'The Bear' opens up about his infamous Marvel Studios meeting, why he regrets his past comments, and what he thinks about fans wanting him to be Wolverine. Get the full scoop on his career choices and the evolving superhero landscape.
Delving Deeper into His Hesitations About Joining the Superhero Genre
Beyond simply regretting his approach, Jeremy Allen White also took the opportunity to elaborate on the deeper reasons behind his hesitation regarding superhero films. He stressed that his comments weren't a blanket criticism of the genre itself. "First of all, it's not a bag on the genre," he clarified, indicating he holds no animosity towards the films or their fans.
Instead, his uncertainty stemmed from a more personal and professional place. He questioned "what I can give to it, really, or how I fit into it." This insight is quite telling for an actor known for his immersive, character-driven performances. It suggests that White is deeply invested in finding roles where he feels he can authentically contribute and explore complex human emotions, something he might have struggled to envision within the traditional superhero framework at the time.
Furthermore, White touched on a significant shift he's observed in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning the once-undeniable power of a Marvel role. "I think there was a period where being in one of those films guaranteed you [could] get any movie made," he explained. He recalled a time when "if you find a script on the street and you take that around to people, and you love it, you can get it made," simply by having an MCU credit on your resume. However, he now questions if "that's how it's working anymore." This observation highlights a potential change in how A-list actors view the strategic value of joining massive franchises, especially as the cinematic landscape continues to evolve.
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Addressing the Roaring Fan Hype for Jeremy Allen White as Wolverine
With Jeremy Allen White's undeniable talent and rugged charm, it was only a matter of time before fans started picturing him in various iconic roles. One fan-casting, in particular, has gained significant traction: Jeremy Allen White as the next Wolverine in the MCU. Fans have been vocal about wanting to see him don the adamantium claws, especially with the impending reboot of the X-Men franchise.
When Josh Horowitz brought up this widespread fan enthusiasm on the podcast, White's reaction was humble and appreciative. "Oh, that's nice, man, yeah," he responded, seemingly unaware of the extent of the fan campaign. He then went on to shower praise on the actor who defined the role for over two decades, Hugh Jackman.
"That performance is great. He's done it for so long, he's really excellent," White stated, acknowledging the incredible legacy Jackman has built. It’s a respectful nod to the difficult shoes any new actor would have to fill. While White admitted, "I'm not a big superhero-movie guy," he did confess a soft spot for the mutant team, adding, "'X-Men' was the big — correct me if I'm wrong, but that was, like... those were the early ones and so, of course I loved all those Movies, yeah." This suggests that while the genre might not be his default, the X-Men hold a nostalgic appeal for him, much like many fans.
Of course, Hugh Jackman recently made a much-anticipated return as Wolverine in 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine," proving he's still got it. This makes White's immediate future as the character unlikely, but the MCU is known for its multiverse, so who knows what variants could appear down the line?
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Exploring the Evolving Landscape of the MCU's X-Men and White's Future Projects
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is indeed preparing for a significant shake-up with its mutant property. Marvel Studios is actively developing a new "X-Men" movie, with Jake Schreier attached to direct and Michael Lesslie writing the screenplay. Details are still sparse, with no plot, cast, or official release date confirmed yet. However, excitement is building, especially with "Avengers: Doomsday" (slated for 2026) expected to bring back several beloved X-Men stars, including Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Channing Tatum as Gambit.
Whether Wolverine, in any form, will be part of this initial X-Men reboot or if Hugh Jackman's return extends beyond "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Secret Wars" remains a hot topic of speculation. For Jeremy Allen White, however, his career continues to thrive on a different, yet equally exciting, trajectory.
He's currently starring as Bruce Springsteen in the biopic "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere," which hit theaters in 2025 and has been earning strong reviews. Looking ahead, White is also set to venture into another massive franchise, albeit in a different capacity, by voicing Rotta the Hutt in "The Mandalorian & Grogu" film, scheduled for a May 22, 2026 release. Additionally, he's starring opposite Jeremy Strong, Mikey Madison, and Bill Burr in "The Social Reckoning," also expected in 2026.
It's clear that while the Marvel opportunity didn't pan out in the traditional way, Jeremy Allen White's career is flourishing with diverse and impactful roles. His "The Bear" success proves his instincts for compelling, character-driven work are spot on. While the door to the MCU might not be entirely closed forever, his current path showcases an actor who prioritizes artistic contribution and personal fit over simply chasing the biggest franchise paycheck.
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Sources
- ScreenRant: "Jeremy Allen White Elaborates On His MCU Audition Mistake & Why He Regrets It Now"
- CBR: "Why The Bear Star Jeremy Allen White Regrets His Meeting With Marvel"
- CinemaBlend: "Jeremy Allen White Discusses That Marvel Meeting Where He Told Executives To 'Tell Me Why I Should Do Your Movie'"
- Movie News Chat: "Jeremy Allen White Shares Honest Take on Wolverine Fan Casting Hype"
- Red94: "Jeremy Allen White expresses regret over Marvel Studios meeting: ‘That was out of line’"