Was/Is Hugh Jackman the right "Wolverine"?

[jo]

I am getting a little tired ( a little bit more annoyed) with the endless debate on message boards on why WOLVERINE and HUGH JACKMAN should not keep hogging the XMEN spotlight -- tastes could differ, but there is no need to diss Hugh because he has reprised the role many times. But that is another point of debate smiley-computer004

This article by Kris Tapley, a fairly respected film commentator ( not a critic but an observer of the scene), wrote this interesting article --

www.hitfix.com/in-contention/what-if-dougray-scott-had-played-wolverine-in-x-men-and-not-hugh-jackman

What if Dougray Scott had played Wolverine in "X-Men" and not Hugh Jackman?

Pondering the possibilities if history took a different route in 2000

By Kristopher Tapley Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 10:17 PM


This week HitFix is revisiting some of the key turning points in recent entertainment history and considering what would have happened if history had turned a bit differently. What if...?

At the turn of the millennium things were looking up for actor Dougray Scott. He had been hand selected by Tom Cruise to be the villain in the anxiously awaited sequel to the megastar's 1996 blockbuster "Mission: Impossible" and he was all set to follow that up with what might have been a breakout role as Wolverine in Bryan Singer's big screen adaptation of the X-Men comic book series. But when the production schedule of "Mission: Impossible II" went long, Singer had to make a snap decision and settled on an unknown by the name of Hugh Jackman.

What if Dougray Scott had played Wolverine in "X-Men" and not Hugh Jackman?

Three things that might not have happened:

1. We could have been robbed of one of the finest Oscar telecasts in history. That would be the one held in early 2009 celebrating the films of 2008 (the year "Slumdog Millionaire" dominated the scene). Oscars producer Laurence Mark and director Bill Condon tapped Jackman to host that year, a very unique choice but one with a bit of synergy, seeing as "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was set to open two months later. Without an already extensive history with the franchise (and therefore, without such a film to "promote" by his presence on the show), would Jackman have still been picked? Maybe at some point along the way, since he got his start as a song and dance man on stage after all. But it's highly unlikely this would have been the year and we'd have been robbed of one of the best hosts the typically taxing telecast has ever seen.

2. Hugh Jackman would have seen a very different start to his career. Getting your start as Wolverine in an "X-Men" movie, of all things, pretty much sets you on a fanboy path from the start. But coming off of musical performances in shows like "Oklahoma!" and "The Boy from Oz," it seems a stretch to think that, without this serendipity, Jackman would have launched onto the movie scene in such a populist sort of film. So would we have even ever really seen him in things like "Swordfish" or "Van Helsing?" It's possible he would have landed in, and maybe stuck with, more prestigious projects like "Les Misérables" and, well, "The Prestige."

3. Scott's "what if" career still wouldn't have mirrored Jackman's real one. It's tough to say this with any certainty because, as a result of missing out on such a high profile role, Scott didn't necessarily get a chance to choose from the same projects Jackman did (more on that below). When you look at Scott's career, you don't exactly see similar choices being made throughout. He probably wouldn't have gone on to be the heartthrob/romantic comedy "star" that Jackman became, though he obviously would have had a much bigger, or at least more popularly recognizable, career on his own terms if he had been fitted for the claws.

Three things that might have happened:

1. Hugh Jackman would definitely still be a big deal. No matter how he was going to get his start, I think it's pretty clear he was made for this business. He has the charisma and inner light of a full-on movie star, and if it wasn't going to be "X-Men" that launched him onto the map, I have every confidence that it would have been something else. It might have been something less overt without the pop culture trappings, but we were always going to know this guy's work on the big screen.

2. It goes without saying, Scott's opportunities would have been much different. This ties in with the note above, but when you're Hugh Jackman and you spark in a superhero movie that makes decent bank, you suddenly have such variety as "Kate & Leopold" and "The Fountain" and "Real Steel" to choose from. Scott never saw that big a door open for him, but if he had played the most exciting character in the first film adaptation of the X-Men comic book series, you can bet it would have been a different story. Whether he would have made good on the opportunity, we'll never know, but he certainly would have had a different pile of scripts on his desk.

3. People might care about "Mission: Impossible II" a little more? Sure, John Woo's is largely considered the weakest of the franchise, but it had its fans in 2000. After all -- OMG! -- it was the MTV Movie Award winner for Best Movie! But it feels mostly forgotten, perhaps willfully, in the 13 years since its release. However, I'm betting that it would have taken on a whole new curiosity factor with kids today talking about, "Hey, you know that guy that played Wolverine? He was a bad guy in a 'Mission: Impossible' movie! With Tom Cruise! Seriously!" And now I feel old.

Did history work out for the best?

Yes. Hugh Jackman is always a great cheerleader for his movies and that's been particularly the case on the "X-Men" franchise. He could have just shown up, done the work and moved on to the next thing, but being who he is, he never stops taking it seriously and he always serves as a wonderful steward for the character of Wolverine. I'm sure Dougray Scott would have been committed, too, but the charismatic spark Jackman has afforded really means a lot. And it's interesting to note that a respected actor launched onto the scene in a superhero movie that came at the dawn of a decade that would eventually be bursting at the seams with similar brand product.

There is a poll re " Would Dougray Scott have made a good Wolverine?" - please check out the link if you want to vote.

Kris seems to think that Hugh's fate in the entertainment world has been written in the stars! I agree completely

Being completely objective ( trying to!) -- I think Hugh Jackman has the talent/versatility, the bigtime charisma and presence, and the focus/determination to achieve what he sets out to do!





Jo

[mamaleh]

Very interesting article. One sentence mirrors my thinking over the past decade: that had Hugh not been so closely associated with the Wolverine character, he might have "landed in, and maybe stuck with, more prestigious projects like "Les Misérables" and, well, "The Prestige."

I'm glad to see Tapley remains a fan of Hugh's in every respect.

Ellen

[jo]

Trevor Nunn discovered him for Sunset Boulevard and eventually cast him in his first international theatre role in Oklahoma!

XMEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner saw him in Oklahoma! and recommended his casting as Wolverine. Harvey Weinstein also saw him in Oklahoma! and presumably that led to his casting in Kate and Leopold.

Darren Aronofsky saw him in The Boy from Oz and offered him the role in The Fountain. Supposedly, his performance in the same stage musical was what led Woody Allen to invite him in Scoop.

I am not sure what prompted Steven Spielberg to facilitate the offer of the lead in Real Steel, but he was in the audience when Hugh performed in his WynnLasVegas concert ( and Hugh even had the spunk to ask the great director up on stage, as he does with fans on his show). Not a film role but one which has enhanced his reputation as an entertainer, it was Spielberg who first offered him the role of Oscars host for 2009.

His casting in Les Miserables is obviously a coming together of his reputation both as a film actor ( with dramatic chops) and as a musical theatre star! Although Cameron Mackintosh was one of his early talent scouts - he was co-producer of Oklahoma!

It would be interesting to know if anyone who saw him in any of the XMEN movies as Wolverine became interested in his ability to handle other roles and offered him such an opportunity? I wonder how he became cast in The Prestige -- or was that a referral from Patrick Whitesell ( who also worked hard to push Hugh's name for the Valjean role) to Chris Nolan?


Jo

[birchie]

Terrific article and a lot of good points made. I've often pondered this question myself and have even watched a couple of movies with Dougray just to get a sense of him as an actor.

My thoughts are that not only would he have not been as successful as Wolverine, but the movie would not have been as successful. Maybe I'm biased...okay, I'm most likely biased...but I think Hugh was the best thing in the movie along with Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart. This is often the case with all of them because they are not only fine actors, but they have a presence and are a force to be reckoned with when on the screen (or a stage). I don't see anything in the films I've seen with Dougray to make me think that one movie would have had the profound effect on his career that it had on Hugh's.

I also agree that Hugh would have still been a superstar without X-Men, but his path might have been very different and, as has been mentioned, perhaps he would have had more serious roles offered to him more often. But who knows, the fates are fickle and anything could have happened, I do think Hugh was always destined to be a star. I see Dougray more as a character actor.
Sue

[jo]

Interesting comment about Hugh being a star and Dougray as a character actor, Sue.

During the run of A STEADY RAIN, someone I know from here ( who is an occasional writer and works in media) saw the show. She said that she thought Daniel Craig was an actor and Hugh was a star! She said she preferred watching Daniel perform because of the acting chops, while Hugh always reminded her that he was a movie star! I think she might have mistaken "Denny's" male alpha and showy appeal, compared to "Joey's" understated mutterings, which distinguished one from the other as the less intense acting ...although of course some critics had the same comments smiley-rolleyes010...But was the critical appreciation really objective -- it had more to do with the kind of characters being portrayed by the two protagonists.

Is it just Hugh's physical attributes? Hmmm... how can you say that when he looked so bedraggled and unsightly in the scene in Les Miserables when he performs ( not just sing!) SOLILOQUY??!!! It was considered by many as his best Oscar moment in the entire movie! He was larger than life! I doubt that even if someone like Daniel could sing, that he could have delivered such a stunning portrayal! Or if you switch their superhero personas -I have no doubts that Hugh could be James Bond while I would have some doubts that Daniel could be an impressive Wolverine. No offense meant to Daniel -- just illustrating a point!


I think it is the presence ( not just plain physical charisma), whether on film or on stage, that sets apart rare actors like Hugh, Ian, and Patrick in the company of some very good actors ( Halle and Anna were Oscar winners, Ellen P was an Oscar nominee). It would be interesting to see how all these actors ( add another Oscar winner- Jennifer L, strong actors like Fassbender and McAvoy to the mix) will interact in DAYS OF FUTURE PAST!

Jo

[Jamie]

Aug 22, 2013 19:03:59 GMT -5 jo said:

Interesting comment about Hugh being a star and Dougray as a character actor, Sue.

During the run of A STEADY RAIN, someone I know from here ( who is an occasional writer and works in media) saw the show. She said that she thought Daniel Craig was an actor and Hugh was a star! She said she preferred watching Daniel perform because of the acting chops, while Hugh always reminded her that he was a movie star! I think she might have mistaken "Denny's" male alpha and showy appeal, compared to "Joey's" understated mutterings, which distinguished one from the other as the less intense acting ...although of course some critics had the same comments smiley-rolleyes010...But was the critical appreciation really objective -- it had more to do with the kind of characters being portrayed by the two protagonists.

Is it just Hugh's physical attributes? Hmmm... how can you say that when he looked so bedraggled and unsightly in the scene in Les Miserables when he performs ( not just sing!) SOLILOQUY??!!! It was considered by many as his best Oscar moment in the entire movie! He was larger than life! I doubt that even if someone like Daniel could sing, that he could have delivered such a stunning portrayal! Or if you switch their superhero personas -I have no doubts that Hugh could be James Bond while I would have some doubts that Daniel could be an impressive Wolverine. No offense meant to Daniel -- just illustrating a point!


I think it is the presence ( not just plain physical charisma), whether on film or on stage, that sets apart rare actors like Hugh, Ian, and Patrick in the company of some very good actors ( Halle and Anna were Oscar winners, Ellen P was an Oscar nominee). It would be interesting to see how all these actors ( add another Oscar winner- Jennifer L, strong actors like Fassbender and McAvoy to the mix) will interact in DAYS OF FUTURE PAST!

Jo

Jo

I think it is a matter of "presence" - You can tell someone with stage experience and it has been noticed by both McKellan and Stewart that Hugh has that quality of "being there". He is classically trained and he can't escape it, not to mention meditating and living "in the present". He is always up front and center. This doesn't detract from his acting. Whatever persona he is being at the moment is always THERE. Very few movie actors have that quality so it is always noticeable when you see it on stage or screen.

[birchie]

Aug 22, 2013 19:56:52 GMT -5 Jamie said:

I think it is a matter of "presence" - You can tell someone with stage experience and it has been noticed by both McKellan and Stewart that Hugh has that quality of "being there". He is classically trained and he can't escape it, not to mention meditating and living "in the present". He is always up front and center. This doesn't detract from his acting. Whatever persona he is being at the moment is always THERE. Very few movie actors have that quality so it is always noticeable when you see it on stage or screen.

That's it exactly, Jamie! I remember an early interview with Sir Trevor Nunn during or just before Sunset Boulevard when asked if Hugh being such a newcomer concerned him he said "...well as they say you've either got it or you ain't got it and Hugh has it!" maybe not the exact quote but I always remember it that way.
Sue

I found that interview. The comment is at about 2:10 slightly shorter than mine but he goes on later in the interview to say how talented Hugh is:

[birchie]

I think this interview with Dougray Scott is interesting. I was happy to see that he seems like a real gentleman and he has some nice things to say about the whole "losing out on Wolverine" issue and there are a couple nice things about Hugh too. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/movies/dougray-scott-reveals-how-missing-2351691
Just posting the Hugh/Wolverine bits here:

Dougray Scott reveals how missing out on X-Men role gave Aussie hunk Hugh Jackman his big break as Wolverine
9 Oct 2013 00:01

THE Scots star was forced to pull out of smash-hit superhero flick and then watched rival actor cash in on the lucrative role.

Dougray Scott had to give up plum role in X-Men


IT was the role that changed an actor’s life, paving the way to a lucrative action franchise, the celebrity A-list and, ultimately, an Oscar nomination.

But Dougray Scott was forced to watch from the sidelines after giving up X-Men and letting Hugh Jackman take the part of Wolverine.

Dougray was all set to play the moody, metal-clawed, mutton-chopped superhero in the first X-men movie until shooting on his other film, Mission Impossible 2, was delayed, forcing the handsome Fife actor to pull out.

His last-minute replacement was the Australian hunk, who went on to star in four more X-Men movies and two Wolverine pictures.

But Dougray has no regrets. “Listen,” said the Desperate Housewives heartthrob, “I’ve really enjoyed the movies I got to do and the TV work. I feel very fortunate anyway.”

He harbours no grudge.

“I like Hugh, he’s a really lovely guy. It wasn’t as if he stole it off me.

“Basically, my movie ran over and I had to pull out. It wasn’t his fault and he did a fantastic job.”

The pair met last year and Hugh admits that he brought up the subject of Wolverine, thanking Dougray for giving him his big break. Hugh says that Dougray was “very gracious”.

And, in any case, Dougray has gone on to be one of Scotland’s busiest stars.

His American werewolf series, Hemlock Grove, is back for a second season, while in Britain he’s providing surprising laughs at the moment in James Corden’s spoof conspiracy series The Wrong Mans.

This week, he’s back on the big screen in Last Passenger, an indie British thriller set on a sabotaged runaway train...

I kind of find it humorous that some articles imply that the role of Wolverine would have made anyone a star. I know that Hugh graciously acknowledges that as the turning point of his career but...While Dougray seems like a nice person & a good character actor, I still believe as I posted above that:

Hugh was always destined to be a superstar. DS does not have the presence to pull off the role the way Hugh did.
AND
Without Hugh as Wolverine, X-Men would not have been the success it was & would not have launched a franchise...indeed the whole superhero movie craze that we have come to take for granted in the past ten+ years might not have happened.

One added note after seeing recent pix of DS, he hasn't aged as well as Hugh either.
Sue

[klenotka]

I agree with you. Hugh would have become a star even without Wolverine. He said he had some other roles offered. Not that big so he wouldn´t have become so popular over night but he would have got there. He has charisma and a star power and, of course, a talent
I really like Dougray Scott. I don´t think there is any British actor I dislike. Most of them (I am not saying everybody) are professional, talented and UK has, I think, big opportunities for them without going to Hollywood John Simm refused to go to the US because he had no reason to do so - and he would have been amazing). But I never felt he was the star material as Hugh. He had some good movies and I loved him in his Doctor Who episode. But if he should become a real Hollywood movie star, he would have done it already. Mission Impossible 2 is, in fact, my least favourite from the series. I don´t even think it was a good movie and even Tom Cruise seemed tired in the end of it.

[jo]

It was not known generally, until much later, but the role was first offered to Russell Crowe who turned it down. Russell was already well-known then and had worked on different roles before that (L.A.Confidential, The Insider for which he received an Oscar nod, and maybe his Oscar-winning Gladiator which was released in 2000)... but I doubt that if he had accepted the role that he would have continued reprising it up to now. But he would be an interesting Wolverine as he probably fitted the role better, physically-speaking from the comic book persona as well as temperamentally-speaking ( Just kidding, Mr. Crowe ). According to Hugh, he did refer Hugh's name as a possible candidate for the role. It is interesting to know that in the early auditions, Bryan Singer did not find Hugh as his first choice. Bryan chose Dougray instead and were it not for a bad stroke of luck, DS would have been the original film Wolverine... but I doubt that he would also eventually become the original film musical Valjean, though .

I think it was Lauren Shuler Donner ( who saw Hugh in Oklahoma!) who eventually pushed for the casting of Hugh. But even when he was already filming with Hugh, Bryan did not seem fully satisfied with how Hugh was handling the role ( so the story goes - of course by the time of Days of Future Past, Bryan was practically begging Hugh to come on board - LOL!). Thus we heard about how the early-morning-cold-showers stories evolved - to help Hugh get into the right rage mood!

LOL - I wonder how he got into the overwhelming rage-mood for Keller Dover smiley-excited001


Jo

[JH4HJ]

X-Men's Hugh Jackman tips Channing Tatum to take over as Wolverine

Jackman, who is promoting new X-Men movie, Days of Future Past, was asked who might be a decent replacement for himself as the invulnerable mutant. "I don't know who could play him. Channing Tatum could probably play him," he said.

Full article

[jo]

Borrowing once again from the SuperHeroHype forum, there is a current poll on which is the best performance by Hugh Jackman as Wolverine --

forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=480335

At the moment, based on 35 votes --

X-Men 6 (17.14% )
X-Men 2: X-Men United 6 (17.14% )
X-Men 3 0 (0% )
X-Men Origins:Wolverine (Yeah I know but if I dont include it someone will ask why) 0 0%
X-Men: First Class 0 0%
The Wolverine 14 (40.00%)
X-Men: Days of Future Past 9 (25.71%)
Voters: 35.

If we can join that poll ( we can't!), which will get your vote?


*Mine would be THE WOLVERINE! Excellent character arc and outstanding portrayal by Hugh!

*However, I would like to say that XMEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE continues to be among those I liked a lot.

*Of the XMEN ensemble movies -- XMEN: UNITED (aka XMEN-2).


Jo

[jo]

A little off-topic but still on Wolvie

I was browsing at Amazon.co.uk and found this page --

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wovlerine%20jacket


A lot of interest in the Wolverine-inspired jacket?!!

Maybe even more so, now that Halloween is next week

Hey, Halloween is also when Hugh comes back in his other persona - a serious dramatic actor on stage ( The River)!


Jo

[jo]

Video featuring mostly Hugh, with a training BoxMaster -- this was for THE WOLVERINE.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4PcIZW027E


*Building up muscles
*Training for a particular action film role
*Overall fitness program

*Even working out your aggression - LOL!

[jo]

A man's take on WHY WOMEN LOVE WOLVERINE --

JPChristopherMALITTE ‏@jpcmalitte · 3h3 hours ago
Why women love #Wolverine (and @realhughjackman) pic.twitter.com/Us87nnvwM4

[jo]

This is how Hugh feels about Wolverine -- LOL!






Posted by :

Charles E. Dyer IV ‏@ivdyer · 2h2 hours ago
I think Hugh Jackman took offense to @charlessoule killing him. "Over my dead body, BUB!!!" Great to meet you today.

[jo]

Just wondering -- does Hugh use three exclamation points one after another ( you can see this in many of his instagram/twitter messages) because they are a signature image of Wolvie's claws wolverine


Jo

[njr]

Mar 27, 2015 23:59:53 GMT -5 jo said:

Just wondering -- does Hugh use three exclamation points one after another ( you can see this in many of his instagram/twitter messages) because they are a signature image of Wolvie's claws wolverine


Jo

I'd say it's a safe bet you are right! emoticon-cartoon-020 emoticon-cartoon-023

Nancy

[hughmanity]

With all the online "clutter" out now, I think this is a nice homage to Hugh's work as Wolverine
moviepilot.com/posts/2015/03/31/wolverine-the-end-thank-you-hugh-jackman-2825723?lt_source=external,manual

[jo]

Not trying to be a wet blanket, Hughmanity ( I know you're a great fan of Hugh and would like to share all things about Hugh ) ...but

I have followed quite a few articles from MOVIEPILOT.COM as they referred to Hugh in the recent past. But increasingly, I was getting a sense that they are just using Hugh's name to get provocative and annoying reactions, so their relatively new site would get its quota of internet hits! Maybe I am wrong, but...

I have a negative vibe about the sincerity of their work, sorry

Also, all they did was to research on Hugh's film background. Why was there no mention of his theatrical background, especially OKLAHOMA!? It was the stage production which XMEN main producer Lauren Shuler Donner saw and which eventually led to his casting as Wolverine. I mention this because to understand the stardom of Hugh Jackman, it was not just because he lucked out on being cast as Wolverine. The talent and versatility was what he offered to filmdom. Part of it was manifested on how his portrayal of Wolverine became more and more appreciated. The same talent and versatility landed him the part of Jean Valjean - an artistic and commercial hit for him ...and a far cry from his Wolverine portrayals. True, he became a household name because of XMEN, but he has proven in quite a few movies that he is not a one-note talent. I think the Forbes analysis of Hugh's career was better researched ( even if there is only a brief mention of the impact on his stage career) and the conclusions better arrived at -- a true tribute to the extent of Hugh Jackman's contribution to the performing arts.

MoviePilot was nowhere around during the greater part of his Wolverine career. Tbh, I don't even remember reading about their comments on Days of Future Past when it was released. They are just trying very hard to be noticed.

Jo

[jo]

This article may be controversial ( Death and The Superhero) but there is serious food for thought, using the announcement of Hugh's departure from the role to start off his thesis --

twitchfilm.com/2015/04/destroy-all-monsters-death-and-the-superhero.html

At least it gives a very honest reaction to the use of superhero franchises basically for self-centered purposes for the studios, while seemingly being put out to please fans.

Jo

[hughmanity]

Good to know, Jo. With a proliferation of these websites and being relatively "new" I do not have this type of background knowledge so I appreciate your insights. That being said, I did think the article was wholly positive in terms of appreciating Hugh's commitment to this role, and due to the site being called Moviepilot I wasn't surprised by the lack of research into his theatrical background. But I certainly will regard the site's articles in a different light from this point on!

[jo]

Every legend has a beginning


www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0SgGSk5sI


This was the reading with Bryan Singer ( using dialog with Rogue and with Jean...and sharing notes on developing the character of Wolverine.

I thought I had seen this clip before, but this seems longer than what I saw. Or does my memory bank playing tricks on me? The comments, on hindsight, are interesting. Some thought Hugh was too mild-mannered. LOL - do people expect an actor to be in full emotional display ( rage and bad-assery in the case of Wolverine) in a reading? LOL!

The audition or screen test with Rogue was in another clip. I can't find it online at the moment...but wasn't that part of the special features of the video release of the first XMEN movie?



Jo

[jo]

In the early days - a singing Wolverine was almost unthinkable

Now it seems many actors of note ( no pun intended) want to try a musical


www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtxLyLPf0og



Jo

[jo]

From the sneak peak appearance on the Dr. Oz Show.

This is why he is leaving WOLVERINE now --

On why he chose to leave the role of Wolverine, Jackman said: "It is my last time... It felt like it was the right time to do it. I sat next to Jerry Seinfeld, a good friend of mine, at a dinner party, and I found myself quizzing him about the end of "Seinfeld." And I said, 'How did you know?' ...I remember him saying, 'I have too much love for the people I work with, for the fans who enjoyed the show, to not give everything and to be excited to go to work everyday.' And I still feel like that about Wolverine and I never want to be in a situation where I signed up for another movie and I'm like, 'Hmmm it's hard and I don't want to train.' The moment I made the decision it felt right to me."