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Hugh Jackman became a Hollywood A-lister when he headlined the blockbuster superhero franchiseX-Menwhere he starred as Wolverine. The Australian actor had only done a few roles in films and TV, and on stage, before being propelled to international stardom when he put on the claws and made himself invincible in the Fox Studio franchise.
Though he owes a lot to his role in the superhero film franchise, Jackman’s first love will always be the musical. The actor has returned to it in multiple films and has also toured on stage with revivals ofThe Music Man. However, his career may have taken a completely different turn had he not rejected a role inChicagodue to him not being convinced with one line in the movie musical.
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Hugh Jackman’s Love For Musicals
Hugh Jackmanmay be known for his ultra-masculine role of the nonchalant and irreverent superhero Logan a.k.a Wolverine, but he has mentioned multiple times his love for theater and the musical. Jackman began his career on stage and gained notoriety for his role in the Royal National Theater’s production ofOklahoma. He won the Olivier Award for his performance.
After Jackman had his Hollywood breakthrough withX-Men, he returned to his musical routes where performed in the Broadway musicalThe Boy from Oz, for which he won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. Jackman more recently toured with a production of the musicalThe Music Man, which was incidentally the first role he ever auditioned for in school.
Also read:“I’ve done some damage”: Hugh Jackman Blames His Wolverine Role for Doing Irreparable Damage to His Body That Will Affect His Future Roles
Hugh Jackman expressed his love for theater and musicals in an interview withCBS Sunday Morning,
“People always say, ‘What do you prefer, the theater or movies?’ And I say, ‘I love them both. But if you had to give me one, it would be the theater. What better job to have in the world than to allow people to come and just put your troubles aside for a second – and let’s go on a little adventure?”
In another interview, withToday, he mentioned that he had learned the entire play by heart including the lines of other parts when he was a kid as he geared up to audition for the musical in his school production. However, he revealed that he did not get the main part but he was finally vindicated when he returned to star in the production years later.
Also read:Even Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Healing Factor is Powerless Against 1 MCU Villain Fans Wanted to Replace Jonathan Majors’ Kang With
Hugh Jackman Rejected A Role inChicagoAs He Felt Too Young For The Role
Hugh Jackman’s role as Wolverine has not stopped him from exploring his musical roots. He played the acclaimed role of Jean Valjean in Tom Hooper’s epic period musical filmLes Miserables. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role and was also nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.
Jackman also starred inThe Greatest Showman, a musical about renowned circus trainer PT Barnaum, which saw him being nominated for a Golden Globe again. Though he does not regret turning down Hooper’s next musical film, the disastrousCats, he does regret one role that he turned down early in his career.
Hugh Jackman revealed to OK Magazine (viaIrish Independent) that he was offered the role of Billy Flynn in the musical adaptation ofChicago. The actor mentioned that he turned it down as he felt that he was too young for the role at the time. He said,
“I thought I was too young as there was one line when he said ‘I’ve seen it all, kid’. A year later it went on to win all the Oscars and I remember thinking that perhaps a little bit of make-up could have worked.”
The role of Flynn went on to be played by Richard Gere, who seemed to be perfect for the role. The film went on to win many Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones, Best Art Direction, and more. The film was credited to have revived an interest in movie musicals.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2419
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
