As the former leading star of one of the most notable film franchises in history, it’s no surprise that Daniel Radcliffe would become the subject of wild speculation from time to time.

The Harry Potter star, 34, has been plagued with rumours that he is set to take over Hugh Jackman‘s role Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe teased X-Men movie – all because of his ripped new physique.

Speculation among hopeful Marvel and Harry Potter fans ran rampant after the actor flaunted his muscles in the season 4 finale of TBS comedy Miracle Workers earlier this year.

The bemused screen star, however, sat down for a lie detector test in an interview with Vanity Fair this week, where he confirmed he is not in the running for the role.

Daniel, who is currently starring in the 1981 Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along, confirmed in the 20-minute interview that he made the decision to get buff because he simply wanted to.

Ripped: Daniel Radcliffe has hit back at speculation he has bulked up to become the next Wolverine (pictured in the season four finale of Miracle Workers earlier this year)

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Not me: The Harry Potter star, 34, has been plagued with rumours that he is set to take over Hugh Jackman ‘s role Wolverine (pictured earlier this month)

Daniel Radcliffe shows off ripped physique in Miracle Workers

When asked by Merrily We Roll Along co-stars Jonathan Groff & Lindsay Mendez if he started the rumour himself, the actor confirmed: ‘No.’

Daniel was asked if he decided to get buff for any particular reason, to which he laughed and responded: ‘Yes. I got buff because I am obsessive, and I want to.

‘You’ve seen my parents, they’re like insane fitness people. So that’s just been passed on.’

Referring to the rumours surrounding his potential casting as the powerful mutant X-Men character, Daniel added: ‘But no. No Wolverine. Flattered, but no.’

The Miracle Workers star had previously been forced to deny any involvement in the upcoming X-Men film – which is set to be released in MCU’s Phase 7 of the Multiverse Saga, in the later half of 2026.

In March 2022, Radcliffe appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to laugh off initial rumours that he would be reprising Hugh Jackman’s role as the iconic mutant with retractable claws.

‘I think it’s because Wolverine in the comics is fairly short, so I think people are going “Who’s a short actor? Him! He can maybe play him,”‘ the British actor joked.

He explained that the Wolverine rumours have been persistent for a while, with fans reading into his comments and drawing their own conclusions.

The truth: The actor confirmed in the 20-minute interview that he made the decision to get buff because he simply wanted to

This is something that has like come up every so often for the last few years,’ he stated.

‘Every time it comes up I’m like, “That’s not true there’s nothing behind that,” and everyone’s like, “Oh, he said it might be true!” And I’m like, no, I didn’t. I said the opposite of that!’

When host Jimmy Fallon agreed with fans and said that Radcliffe would make ‘a fantastic Wolverine’ the star replied saying, ‘Anything that implies the fleetingest similarity to Hugh Jackman is incredibly flattering so I’m happy with that.’

The Harry Potter alumni – who welcomed his first child with long-term partner Erin Darke in April – is currently starring in the first Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along, which opened on October 8 at The Hudson Theatre in New York City.

The show tells the story of three friends and how their lives and friendship change over the course of 20 years.

Broadway role: Daniel is currently starring in the first Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along (pictured, left alongside Jonathan Groff, centre, and Lindsay Mendez, right)