Hugh Jackman and Judi Dench appeared as guests on The Graham Norton Show, contributing to a captivating episode. These celebrated actors entertained the audience with animated conversations, providing insights into their illustrious careers, and their friendly rapport enhanced the show’s appeal, leaving viewers thoroughly delighted. Jackman also revealed how they first met at the backstage of a Royal Command performance.
Judi Dench and Hugh Jackman, recognized as icons in the entertainment industry, have made a lasting impact on film, theater, and television. Their extensive bodies of acclaimed work span decades, earning them praise not just for their talent, but also for their enduring influence on the arts.
Hugh Jackman Praised Judi Dench’s Singing Skills
Hugh Jackman recalled their first encounter, which took place backstage at a Royal Command performance, around 1998 during his time in London. He and Judi Dench were both part of a lineup featuring various performers. Jackman vividly remembered the nervousness he felt as he descended the stairs, with Dench expressing her own apprehension in the wings.
Jackman told Graham Norton:
“The first time we met was backstage at a Royal Command performance. I think it was a, Mr. Producers 1998 or something. I’d just come to London, I was doing Okalhoma, and I was going to sing a song from Okalhoma, and you were singing Sin In The Clowns. There was a number of different performers, and I will never forget this, I was so nervous. I’m in London, Quenn, the whole thing. Everyone’s there and as I came down the stairs, you were standing. The stage is right there, and you were right next in the wing and you were like ‘Why did I say yes, Why did I say yes….'”
Jackman also told that he tried motivating Judi Dench before her performance by praising her singing skills, however, in response, Dench said, “Oh shut up. I can’t sing.“
Hugh Jackman Was Offered The Role Of The Punisher
Prior to its transformation into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the superhero studio produced a variety of films featuring different characters. One such project was The Punisher from 2004, starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta. Regrettably, the movie made little impact, both at the box office and among fans, rendering it largely forgettable.
Hugh Jackman’s decision to forego the role, narrowly avoiding being typecast solely as Wolverine, proved to be a wise choice. The Punisher earned a paltry $54 million and garnered a slew of negative reviews. Even when a reboot titled Punisher: War Zone, featuring the late Ray Stevenson, was attempted, it also met a similar fate. As for Jackman, his commitment to Van Helsing prevented him from taking on the Punisher role.
Despite Van Helsing also receiving its share of unfavorable reviews, the film’s reception was still an improvement compared to the Marvel movie that Hugh Jackman decided not to take on. After the unsuccessful reboot attempt with Punisher: War Zone, the character Frank Castle saw a resurgence in the Netflix Marvel Universe. The introduction of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Daredevil Season 2 marked a turning point, leading to his own standalone television series.
