After four years of waiting, rumors, and one of the biggest leaks in gaming history, Insomniac finally delivered a gameplay trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine during the 2025 PlayStation State of Play. The game is scheduled for release in fall 2026.
By Logan Mullins
TAMPA, Fla. — On Sept. 24, Insomniac Games — the developers of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Ratchet & Clank — unveiled fresh gameplay for their upcoming Wolverine title. The footage shows James “Logan” Howlett battling a multitude of iconic enemies across several recognizable Marvel locations. Omega Red, a Soviet super soldier with Carbonadium tentacles; Mystique, a mutant shapeshifter and longtime X-Men adversary; the Reavers, cybernetically enhanced mercenaries; and a Sentinel, a colossal mutant-hunting robot, all make appearances. Logan brawls through the forests of Canada, the streets of Tokyo, and the island of Madripoor — even visiting the iconic Princess Bar from the classic Marvel comics.
Liam McIntyre will star as Wolverine. McIntyre, another in the long line of Australian actors to portray the Canadian hero, is most famous for his television roles as Spartacus in Spartacus (2013) and the Weather Wizard in The Flash (2014). During the game overview trailer, Insomniac Creative Director Marcus Smith said they needed an actor who could “convey a lot with very little being spoken,” and McIntyre was their top choice. McIntyre himself described the role as a “responsibility,” stressing his focus on finding “the essence of who Wolverine is” and balancing both the heroic and tragic sides of the character.
Liam McIntyre at Supercon 2014. Photo courtesy of Steve Cranston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
In a PlayStation blog post, Senior Community Manager Aaron Espinoza promised Insomniac would “deliver the ultimate Wolverine fantasy” and craft an experience “darker and more brutal” than their previous games. The footage reflects that vision: Wolverine drives his claws through an enemy’s skull, severs limbs, and tears another opponent in half. Developers even implemented a “blood tech” system to ensure each strike has a visceral, realistic effect.
Fans have been waiting for this moment since 2021, when Insomniac revealed the game with an announcement trailer during the PlayStation Showcase. Backdropped by James Carr’s “The Dark End of the Street,” the short clip showed the aftermath of a brawl at the Princess Bar, with Wolverine sitting victoriously at the counter before popping his claws in response to a battered attendee drawing a knife. Logan’s face was never revealed, only his posture and back — a tease that sparked years of speculation, but little official news.
2021 Announcement Trailer Teaser Image. Photo courtesy of Public Domain, CC0 1.0 Universal, via Wikimedia Commons.
However, in December 2023, Insomniac fell victim to one of the largest leaks in gaming history. According to CyberDaily, the Rhysida Ransomware Gang — an internationally recognized cybercriminal group — hacked into Insomniac’s internal systems and released 1.67 terabytes of data spread across 1.3 million files. The leak didn’t just expose corporate secrets; it compromised sensitive employee records, private meeting logs, and long-term company strategies. Most damaging for superhero fans, the leak contained files on Marvel’s Wolverine. The files contained concept art, casting information, and gameplay. The leaked gameplay appeared unfinished, choppy, and glitchy, leading to speculation and rumors about the game’s development. Many believed the game would be a disaster, and the hype diminished.
The gameplay trailer silenced nearly all the skepticism. Garnering over 7 million views on PlayStation’s YouTube channel — and millions more across social media — it became the most talked-about announcement of the State of Play. Fans praised the gritty tone, McIntyre’s voice work, the violent combat, and the faithful nods to Wolverine’s comic roots.
After years of rumors, leaks, and silence, Insomniac has finally delivered proof that the wait was worth it. With a brutal tone, a star-studded cast of villains, and a combat system ripped straight from the comics, the trailer has reignited hype and muted nearly every critic. If the final game delivers on even a fraction of this promise, Fall 2026 won’t just mark the release of another superhero title — it will mark the arrival of The Wolverine.
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Thumbnail image courtesy of Public Domain, CC0 1.0 Universal, via Wikimedia Commons.