Hugh Jackman has an illustrious career that’s still growing. However, it can’t be denied that without the role of Wolverine, he wouldn’t be where he is today. That role gave him global fame and money. Even though fans can’t imagine anyone else in the role now, he wasn’t the first choice to play the character in X-Men (2000).
The actual choice for the character and the actor who was approached first eventually went on to collaborate in a high-profile MCU movie last year with Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. While he didn’t have too big of a role to play in Thor: Love and Thunder, his significance in shaping Jackman’s career is understated and the Logan actor knows this.
Hugh Jackman Credits A-list Hollywood Star For His Career And Wealth
Hugh Jackman shared an interview on his Instagram where he thanked Russell Crowe for giving him his career. A lot of his fans were shocked that it was Crowe who was offered the part of Wolverine first. In the interview from the Happy Sad and Confused podcast, the Gladiator actor said:
“I also suggested [Hugh] for [Wolverine], too because they showed me art and stuff like that, and it’s like it doesn’t look like me. But I tell you who it looks like, I said it looks like Hugh Jackman.”
Jackman labeled Crowe as a “good man and a great friend” who has helped him in several ways. But this isn’t the only instance where the Man of Steel star stepped in to help Jackman. On the podcast, Crowe revealed that he again recommended the Wolverine star when Baz Luhrmann came to him for Australia. Crowe said:
“I did the same with Baz Luhrmann. They were doing sort of like pictures and stuff for Australia, and I’m like ‘OK, but these drawings don’t make me think of me. That looks like Hugh Jackman.’ I’ve always been able to say ‘no,’ though.”
Crowe then explained that he never took an issue with turning down roles or recommending another actor for it. Not only did it shape the careers of other actors, but it’s also apparently a huge reason why the star still loves his job.
Read More: Why Russell Crowe Shouldn’t Be in Gladiator 2
Hugh Jackman Initially Didn’t Want To Play Wolverine Again
Hugh Jackman revealed in an interview that he originally wanted to retire as Wolverine after Logan (2017). After all, the movie was praised by critics and audiences alike, and his character got a satisfying death that tied up all the loose ends. So the actor wasn’t bothered about returning. He said:
“I wasn’t tortured by it. When people would ask me [to reprise the role] – including Ryan, every five seconds – I was like: I’m done.”
But what changed was that he realized just how much fun he would have while playing Wolverine in a Deadpool film. The actor elaborated, “I just wanted to do it and I felt it in my gut… [Also] I get to punch the shit out of Ryan Reynolds every day.” Deadpool 3 is a highly anticipated Marvel movie and it will mark Jackman’s entry into the MCU. It now remains to be seen if he will play the character in other Marvel projects moving forward.
Deadpool 3 will be released on 8 November 2024.
Source: The Guardian and Instagram
