When Hugh Jackman announced that he would not return to play Wolverine after Logan (2017), fans were heartbroken. Even though Hugh Jackman had been playing the mutant since 2000, it simply wasn’t enough. After all, how could you possibly have enough of something so incredible? This is why, when he revealed that he would be picking the claws back up, fans were ecstatic. As if reprising his role wasn’t enough, it’s even more exciting to see him return alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.
Hugh Jackman coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe takes his fans on a beautiful trip down the nostalgia lane and the President of Marvel is not excluded from it either. In an interview, Kevin Feige talked about the time when he witnessed Hugh Jackman’s audition for the first time, quite a few years ago. As he recalls the last twenty-three years, he calls Hugh Jackman’s arrival into the MCU a “full circle.”
Kevin Feige Recalls Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Audition
Sitting down for an exclusive chat with EW, Kevin Feige talked about everything and anything Marvel. Among the many questions, Feige was asked about mutants in the MCU, especially since he started his career in the superhero genre as a producer for the X-Men movies. He replied, stating that everything is “amazing”, especially since Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, another mutant, is coming to the MCU for the first time.
He recalled sitting at the back of the room when Jackman auditioned for the role and stated it was unbelievable how things have changed since then. Feige referred to the actor’s debut in the MCU as a full circle, and rightfully so.
“It’s amazing. And we’ve got Hugh Jackman coming back for our first Deadpool film within the MCU. That’s our first R-rated film. To have Hugh come back is incredible. For me, personally, that is where I started. I remember sitting behind the camera — well behind the camera — at his audition for the film. It was his first on-set audition, and he flew up to Toronto to do a read with Anna Paquin. For him, and for me, and I think for all of the fans of Marvel, it’s unbelievable what has happened in those 23 years. It’s very full-circle having him come back in this new Deadpool film.”
There is no question about just how excited we are for Jackman to bring his claws to the MCU. He plus Ryan Reynolds plus an R-rating will certainly equal one of the most thrilling rides the superhero genre has to offer. We simply cannot keep calm until the day Deadpool 3 drops!
A Look Back at Hugh Jackman’s Audition
Over two decades have passed since we first saw (and fell in love with) Jackman’s Wolverine. It is certainly intriguing to take a look into the past, where it all started. Appearing on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Jackman recalled his first run trying out for Wolverine, as the host showed him the video of his audition from 1999.
If things had turned out differently, actor Dougray Scott would’ve ended up playing the beloved character. However, he got caught up in Mission: Impossible 2, and Jackman got the role, even though his audition lasted for twenty seconds and was full of doubts.
“When I walked into that room, I was pretty sure that I wasn’t playing the role. It was a weird audition because Dougray Scott had the role and then he got caught up in Mission: Impossible 2 but everyone thought that would get sorted…It was this Hail Mary to begin with, which is probably the best way to do an audition. You’re going in like ‘Eh..’ I think the entire audition was about 20 seconds. It wasn’t much longer.”
Well, destiny had Jackman’s back for sure and we are grateful for that! It is impossible for us to imagine another actor playing Wolverine, as Jackman fits the character’s shoes perfectly. And since his new endeavor as Wolverine is with Reynolds, we already know it’s going to be one hell of a ride!
Deadpool 3 will release in theatres on November 2024.
Source: EW
