Hugh Jackman is known and loved as Wolverine, but his path to playing this iconic character wasn’t straightforward. Marvel CEO Kevin Feige recently shared the surprising story of how Jackman was initially rejected for the role, only to later become the perfect fit.
The Initial Rejection
Back when 20th Century Fox was planning the first X-Men movie, Hugh Jackman auditioned for the role of Wolverine in Toronto. Kevin Feige, who was then an assistant to producer Lauren Shuler Donner, recalls that the team initially chose Scottish actor Dougray Scott for the part.
However, Scott had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict with Mission: Impossible 2, where Tom Cruise insisted he focus solely on his role as the villain. This unexpected change led the producers to reconsider Jackman, even though he had been rejected initially for being too tall for the character, who is depicted as short in the comics.
A Desperate Search and a Second Chance
Feige shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that Lauren Shuler Donner was excited about giving Jackman another chance. Despite his initial rejection, they were now desperate to find a suitable Wolverine, and Jackman was called back to audition.
Hugh Jackman flew to Toronto again, read with screenwriter Tom DeSanto and director Bryan Singer, and gave another audition. Jackman himself was unsure if he would get the role and even declined Feige’s offer for dinner, thinking he would be rejected again.
Becoming the Legendary Wolverine
Against his own expectations, Hugh Jackman was finally cast as Wolverine. His portrayal of the character became legendary, spanning multiple films and leaving a lasting impact on fans worldwide.
Jackman announced his retirement from the role in 2017, but he is set to return in the upcoming movie Deadpool & Wolverine, reuniting him with Kevin Feige and Ryan Reynolds, his co-star from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The film is eagerly anticipated and scheduled for release on July 26, 2024.
Conclusion
Hugh Jackman’s journey to becoming Wolverine is a story of persistence and second chances. From initial rejection to defining a superhero for generations, his story is a testament to the unexpected paths success can take. Fans can look forward to seeing him don the claws once more in the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine.
