In two years, Hugh Jackman will slip off his claws one last time and retire from the role of Wolverine in Fox’s “X-Men” franchise. Speaking with ET Online about his retirement from the role, Jackman says it is time for him to move on. Part of the reason is that the actor is now getting a more interesting array of offers lately beyond the genre:

“There was a period about six years ago when I could see my choices being narrowed by Wolverine, but now I feel like they’ve opened up from doing ‘Les Mis’ or ‘Prisoners’ or ‘Pan.’ The options coming to me right now are more varied than they’ve ever been in my life. Hopefully, I’m not that actor in 10 years who’s unemployed going, ‘Why did I ever leave it?’ and then begging to come back… I feel very blessed that I loved playing this part, the last ‘Wolverine’ and that last ‘X-Men’ [‘Days of Future Past’] were maybe two of the best and I feel like, hopefully, we’ll do it again with this last one.”

Speaking with The Huffington Post, he says he’s still very thankful he got cast in the role and is still looking forward to his last few turns in the part:

“They were all really supportive — 17 years is a long time, and I’m sure that they’ve already started casting, you know? Someone may sign up for an 11-picture deal, as we speak. Weirdly, I’m really excited about shooting it. I feel great enthusiasm, I suppose it’s denial — like the football player who announces their retirement before their last season — and so I’m really looking forward to it. But, I know it’s not over yet! I still got a lot of 4 o’clock mornings and a hell of a lot of egg white omelettes and steamed chicken to have, and all of that.”

Before that final “Wolverine” outing though, many have wondered if we’ll see the character pop up in one of the other “X-Men” films due next year. Specifically he was asked about whether or not he appears in the “Deadpool” movie which recently wrapped. He responded:

“Hmmm, I can’t … no. Nope. But, I am really good mates with [Reynolds] so …”

He gives a similar answer when asked about his involvement in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” saying only: “Who knows?”.