Marvel roles are certainly one of the most sought-after in the film industry. They can pretty much make any actor famous and propel them to success. However, not everyone is interested in playing a Marvel character, even if it means starring alongside Huge Jackman in one of the most overwhelming roles.
The same was for MMA stalwart Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who turned down the $373 million movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Despite being offered an opportunity that most would refer to as a ‘golden’ one, the heavyweight champion turned down the movie citing career concerns.
Also Read: 5 Highest Grossing Hugh Jackman Movies Where He Doesn’t Play the Wolverine
MMA Star Quinton Rampage Jackson Refused Marvel Role With Hugh Jackman
Many actors and celebrities would die to have an opportunity to star as a Marvel character, thanks to the buzz and huge popularity of the superhero world. But that is not the same with Quinton Jackson, who is popularly referred to as Rampage inside the wrong. The MMA superstar is one of the most celebrated fighters and has already proven his acting might after having starred in many movies.
But balancing a career as an MMA fighter and as a Hollywood actor is no easy job and he knows it too well. Back in the 2010s, the actor and fighter had revealed that he was offered the role of the mutant John Wraith in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in 2008 but he turned it down to focus more on his career. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Jackson stated,
“The Wolverine offer was a pretty good but fighting is my day job. It just came at a bad time. It’s the story of my life. ‘The A-Team’ came at a bad time as well and I took the time off instead of preparing for Rashad Evans and I paid the price for it.”
He added on,
“There’s no way you can do both at the same time. You can’t train for a fight and shoot a movie. Your focus has to be on that fight.”
And so fans missed the opportunity to see Jackson on the big screen alongside Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine.
Quinton Jackson Says Acting Isn’t Real
For somebody who has been inside the ring for so long and tasted the thrill and adrenalin rush it brings, acting and shooting fight scenes certainly is as fake as it can get. And Quinton Jackson feels the same. In his interview with Yahoo Sports, he mentioned how even though he loves acting, it isn’t the same as being in the ring.
“Acting isn’t real but fighting is real. I love acting but when you knock somebody you get this high that you can’t get anywhere else. I’ve tried to reproduce that adrenaline rush when I drive my car or I do something to try to scare myself, but you can’t get it anywhere else besides kicking somebody’s ass in the cage.”
Stated the MMA champion who apparently might be making a comeback to the ring in 2023 after his retirement in 2019.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine can be streamed on Disney+.
