Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine audition tape from 1999 resurfaces – as the actor reveals how he won over Marvel’s casting agents in just 20 seconds
Hugh Jackman is celebrating 20 years since debuting as Wolverine in Marvel’s X-men series by watching back his original audition for the role.
Appearing on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon this week, the Australian actor, 51, cringed as he watched grainy footage of himself reading lines for director Bryan Singer in 1999.
In the video, Hugh is seen testing out his American accent – which has since vastly improved – while effortlessly exuding Wolverine’s trademark smarmy, too-cool character.
Where it all began: Hugh Jackman, 51, celebrated 20 years since debuting as Wolverine in Marvel’s X-men series by watching back his audition tape on The Tonight Show this week. Pictured: Hugh auditioning for Wolverine in 1999
To finish off the scene, Hugh did a dramatic claw gesture with his fingers and pulled a wide smile.
‘A little more magician than Wolverine!’ Hugh joked to Jimmy after watching his attempt at emulating Wolverine’s claws.
Hugh revealed that his audition was actually very quick, lasting ‘about 20 seconds’, and that he was actually auditioning as a ‘back up’ for another actor.
He’s a natural! In the video, Hugh is seen testing out his American accent – which has since vastly improved – while effortlessly exuding Wolverine’s trademark smarmy, too-cool character
At least he tried! ‘A little more magician than Wolverine!’ Appearing on TheHugh joked to Jimmy after watching his attempt at emulating Wolverine’s claws
‘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,’ he explained.
‘It was like this ‘Hail Mary’ to begin with, which is probably the best way to do an audition. You’re going in like ‘Eh,” Hugh shrugged.
Luckily, Hugh ended up scoring the gig and went on to play Wolverine in seven films including X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, X-Men: The Last Stand and Deadpool 2.
Role of a lifetime: Hugh played Wolverine in seven films including X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, X-Men: The Last Stand and Deadpool 2
The role was his Hollywood breakthrough and transformed him from an obscure Australian actor into a household name.
In 2001, he won an Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films award for his performance in the first X-Men movie.
Hugh also won VGA’s Best Performance By A Human Male for the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009.
Breakthrough: The role was his Hollywood breakthrough and transformed him from an obscure Australian actor into a household name