Jeremy Allen White Regrets His Marvel Meeting, Talks Wolverine Hype

The Bear star Jeremy Allen White is getting candid about his past Marvel Studios meeting, admitting he handled it "out of line" while also weighing in on those persistent Wolverine fancasting rumors.

TL;DR

• Jeremy Allen White shared he regrets his "out of line" behavior during a 2023 Marvel Studios meeting.
• He explained his hesitation stemmed from uncertainty about fitting the genre and doubts about Marvel roles guaranteeing future film projects.
• White praised Hugh Jackman's Wolverine performance but didn't directly address the fan-casting, focusing instead on his current acclaimed work.

The Infamous Marvel Studios Meeting: What Went Down and Why He Regrets It

Back in 2023, Jeremy Allen White, who you probably know and love as Carmy from FX's hit series The Bear, caused a bit of a stir with comments he made in a GQ interview. He mentioned having a meeting for a "Marvel-y movie" where he boldly asked the studio executives, "tell me why I should do your movie." Unsurprisingly, that didn't go over too well.

Now, White is revisiting that moment, opening up on Josh Horowitz's "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast (which seems to be his go-to for clarifying things!). He admitted his past behavior was "out of line" and something he "could have handled differently, for sure." It sounds like he felt a bit like an outsider going into the meeting, expressing, "That was, again, me sort of not being entirely invited to the party, and being, like, 'I don't even wanna go anyway.'"

"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

Why the MCU Wasn't a "Sure Thing" for Jeremy Allen White

While his initial approach might have been a bit brash, White’s core hesitations weren't just about ego. He genuinely questioned his place in the superhero genre, telling Horowitz, "I don't know what I can give to it, really, or how I fit into it." It's not a diss on the genre itself – he's quick to clarify that there's no "bag on the genre" – but more about his personal connection to it.

Beyond that, White also pointed to a significant shift in the film industry. He highlighted that starring in a Marvel film used to be a golden ticket, a "guarantee" that you could "get any movie made" you wanted. He openly wonders if that kind of leverage still exists today. With the MCU not consistently hitting those massive billion-dollar worldwide box office numbers anymore, the perceived career boost for A-list actors might not be what it once was.

Addressing the Adamantium Claws: Jeremy Allen White on Wolverine Fancasting

If you're online, you've probably seen the fancasting buzzing around: many Marvel fans picture Jeremy Allen White as the next Wolverine, especially with the X-Men heading for a big MCU reboot. When Josh Horowitz brought this up on the podcast, White's reaction was pretty gracious.

He didn't directly address the possibility of taking on the iconic role but instead showered praise on Hugh Jackman, who has embodied Wolverine for so long. "Oh, that's nice, man, yeah," White said. "[Hugh Jackman's] performance is great. He's done it for so long, he's really excellent. That's nice." He also shared that while he's "not a big superhero-movie guy," he did love the early X-Men Movies, acknowledging their pioneering place in the genre.

It's worth noting that Hugh Jackman recently reprised his Wolverine role in Deadpool & Wolverine (released in 2024, given the October 2025 article dates), and rumors suggest he might even return for Avengers: Secret Wars and other future X-Men projects. So, for now, it seems the adamantium claws are firmly with Jackman, unless a variant situation comes into play!

Beyond the Superhero Realm: Jeremy Allen White's Impressive Career Path

Even without joining the MCU (yet!), Jeremy Allen White's career has been absolutely soaring. He's been crushing it on TV for years, from his long run as Lip Gallagher on Shameless to his current Emmy-winning role as Carmy Berzatto in The Bear (which, by the way, has been a critical phenomenon from 2022 to the present).

But he's not just a TV guy! White has also been building a strong film presence:

• The Iron Claw (2024): Co-starred with Zac Efron in this acclaimed wrestling drama.
• Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (2025): He’s currently starring as Bruce Springsteen himself in this biopic, which is in theaters now and earning strong reviews.
• The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22, 2026): You'll hear his voice as Rotta the Hutt in this highly anticipated Star Wars film.
• The Social Reckoning (2026): Set to star alongside Jeremy Strong, Mikey Madison, and Bill Burr in this upcoming release.

It seems his focus has remained on character-driven, often unconventional, projects that allow him to expand his range. His success proves that for some actors, prioritizing artistic vision and challenging roles can lead to massive accolades, even if it means passing on the immediate allure of a blockbuster franchise.

The Evolving Landscape of Superhero Movies and Actor Choices

White’s comments highlight a broader conversation happening in Hollywood. While Marvel and DC films still command massive attention, the "guaranteed success" and automatic career catapult they once offered are being re-evaluated. Actors like White, often dubbed "actor's actors," seem to be weighing the artistic fulfillment and long-term career impact more heavily than just a big paycheck or widespread exposure.

The days when every major star felt compelled to enter the MCU might be shifting, with more talent considering whether a superhero role truly aligns with their personal craft and aspirations. This doesn't mean the genre is dead, but rather that the dynamics between studios and talent are evolving.

Could Jeremy Allen White Still Join Marvel in the Future?

So, even with his past meeting hiccup and current career trajectory, is the door completely closed for Jeremy Allen White in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? A report from June 2025 by scooper Daniel Richtman suggested that Marvel Studios was still eyeing him for an unspecified role.

Given his recent candidness, it seems unlikely he'd jump into just any superhero role without a compelling reason. His priority appears to be projects that challenge him and feel authentic. However, his open-mindedness ("it's not a bag on the genre") suggests that if the right role, with the right story and creative team, were to come along, he might just reconsider. For now, he's carving out his own impressive path, proving that there are many ways to be a hero in Hollywood.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered About Jeremy Allen White & Marvel Q1: What did Jeremy Allen White say about his Marvel meeting? He admitted his behavior during a 2023 meeting, where he questioned why he should do their movie, was "out of line" and something he "could have handled differently." Q2: Why was Jeremy Allen White hesitant about joining Marvel? He wasn't sure how he fit into the superhero genre and believed the previous guarantee of getting other films made after a Marvel role might no longer be true. Q3: What did Jeremy Allen White say about the Wolverine fancasting? He called the fancasting "nice" and praised Hugh Jackman's performance as Wolverine, calling it "great" and "excellent," without directly confirming or denying his interest in the role. Q4: What are Jeremy Allen White's upcoming projects? He's currently starring in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (2025), voicing Rotta the Hutt in The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22, 2026), and will appear in The Social Reckoning (2026). Sources

• CinemaBlend: Why The Bear Star Jeremy Allen White Regrets His Meeting With Marvel
• ComicBook.com: Exclusive interview coverage and Happy Sad Confused podcast details (as cited in one of the source articles, specific URL not provided in context)
• Entertainment Weekly: Marvel meeting timeline and context (as cited in one of the source articles, specific URL not provided in context)
• Netflix Junkie: Career trajectory analysis and recent success updates (as cited in one of the source articles, specific URL not provided in context)
• ScreenRant: Jeremy Allen White Elaborates On Why He Regrets His Marvel Audition Comments
• The Movie Blog (TMB): Jeremy Allen White Shares Honest Take on Wolverine Fan Casting Hype