Hugh Jackman has delighted Marvel fans in his turn as the mighty Wolverine, but hes dished some mighty tea on how he nearly turned down the role.
That was after it was offered to him following a rather sassy audition. Another fun fact: it wasnt even offered to him in the first place!
Yes, there is a lot to unpack here.
So, the actor sat down for the Aussies In Hollywood With Jenny Cooney podcast and waxed lyrical on all things Wolverine. Counting his lucky stars he did indeed accept the role, though, he recalled his wife Deborra-lee Furness wasnt sure he should take it.
Wed never heard of it, she said. Both of us had no clue.
Debora-lee added: Im thankful that I was wrong because my children get to go to college and have their tuition paid for.
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Well, yes, theres that we guess.
However, elsewhere in the chat, he dished all the sordid details on the actual audition he did for the role way back in 1999 when he was a virtual unknown in Hollywood.
He was serving on the West End in Oklahoma!, still very impressive, and at Aussie mate Russell Crowes insistence, scored a meeting with the casting directors and Brian Singer for what would be his role of a lifetime.
Did it go to plan? Of course it didnt. Thats showbiz, baby.
Bryan wanted Russell to play Wolverine. He (Russell) said to him, “You should look at this guy, Hugh Jackman.”
Hugh recalled his audition was between the matinee and evening performance of his play, so he raced off stage and straight to Soho for the read.
They were, as they do, running late. Im a nobody and Im like, “Um, Ive got to be on stage”, he continued, adding he eventually just knocked on the door and asked to come in and do his dang audition.
I said, “I really need to do my audition now or Im out.” And I can see them going, “Yeah, leave.” But the guy who was just finishing goes, “All right, come in here.”
I remember being a little shitty because Id waited for an hour-and-a-half and I hate being late so I was pissed off.
After racing through others scenes, because, remember, hes due back on stage any moment now, the role ended up being offered to Snatch actor Dougray Scott, after Hugh went through another six auditions.
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But the MCU just wasnt ready for a Scot as Wolverine, seemed it really wanted that Aussie at the helm, and Dougray ended up having to pull out because of Tom Cruise.
Well not Tom Cruise, per se, but Mission Impossible, which went over its shooting schedule and prevented Dougray from filming as the big W.
Hugh added: I send Tom Cruise a present every year.
Now knowing this story, we should, too. We cant imagine Wolverine played by any other lad.
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