What Is The 'Wolverine Crush' Meme? The Wolverine Meme Recreated By Hugh Jackman Explained

Hugh Jackman just recreated the classic Wolverine Crush meme (seen below) to celebrate "Deadpool & Wolverine's"https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/deadpool-wolverine-2024 domestic box office success, which gained over $205 million on its first weekend in July and becoming the biggest opening weekend for an R-Rated movie of all-time.

The comic-accurate Wolverine costume worn by Jackman perfectly encapsulates the idea of the original meme, but what is the story behind the meme? Here's how a scene from the 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series was turned into a viral exploitable meme on the internet.

What Is The 'Wolverine Crush' Meme?

Wolverine is one of Marvel's most famous heroes, known as a mutant with adamantium metal claws and a ferocious attitude that could scare all the bad guys he encounters. Although he's almost unstoppable, the hero also has human emotions making it possible that a broken heart or jealousy could make him feel depressed and demotivated.

That's part of what happens in Season 1 Episode 5 of the animated television series X-Men, showing the character Wolverine jealously looking at a picture of the superheroes Cyclops and Jean Grey (shown below).

How Did The 'Wolverine Crush' Scene Become A Meme?

The most famous short king hero in the world was turned into a meme in late September 2011 on Reddit after user Jamy18 posted a lewd version of the scene, but the format only took off a year later. Netizens replace Cyclops and Jean Grey's picture with other notable personalities and characters. For example, on April 10th, 2012, BuzzFeed^[1] highlighted a Wolverine Crush image featuring a superimposed photograph of Ridiculously Photogenic Guy. On the following day, Redditor xchaos submitted a comic of Wolverine holding a photograph of Valve founder Gabe Newell to /r/gaming^[2] (shown below, right).

How Did The Internet React To Hugh Jackman Recreating The 'Wolverine Crush' Meme?

Just hours after the Hugh Jackman Wolverine meme was posted, Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, shared his version of the same meme (seen below, left), showing Deadpool in his bed pining after a photo of Jackman’s recently uploaded picture. The resurfacing of the meme also inspired more parodies, including a version featuring the characters Doctor Doom and Iron Man posted by X user @Nasdorachi, after the actor announced his return to Marvel’s superhero movie franchise five years after ending his long run as Iron Man.

For the full history of Gypsy Rose Crime Scene Photos Leak, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.