Hugh Jackman confirms exit after 'Wolverine 3'

NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- Hugh Jackman will reprise Wolverine for one last solo movie in 2017.

The 46-year-old actor announced the news in an interview aired Thursday on The Dr. Oz Show. Jackman confirmed Wolverine 3 will mark his final appearance as the Marvel character after hinting in March at his impending departure.

"This will be my last one," he revealed. "It is my last time ... It felt like it was the right time to do it ... And let's be honest, 17 years. I never thought in a million years it would last, so I'm grateful to the fans for the opportunity of playing it."

Congrats to my mate @DrOz on your 1000th show. pic.twitter.com/KfVZ3XUHMk

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) May 5, 2015

Jackman first portrayed the mutant in X-Men (2000), and returned for X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). He also starred in Wolverine standalone films X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013).

X-Men sequel X-Men: Apocalypse is currently filming in Montreal, and slated for release May 27, 2016. The actor is unconfirmed for the movie, but scheduled for Joe Wright film Pan and P.T. Barnum biopic The Greatest Showman on Earth. Wolverine 3 opens in theaters March 3, 2017.