Jackman is on a Roll!

[jo]

It just struck me that HUGH JACKMAN is on an acting roll! An exhilarating and inspired journey as an actor!

Portrayals in --

*Les Miserables ( from convict to a just man of society)
*The Wolverine ( finding himself again, in an alien culture)
*Prisoners ( against-type role, dealing with contemporary social issues)

have all drawn extremely high praise ( ovation quality!) and yet they are very different portrayals and performances! I have always thought that the past 12 months have been his best year yet!

Well done, Mr. Jackman!! smiley-happy096



Jo

[jo]

Vulture recognizes the excellent year for Hugh Jackman, but places him only on 11th place on their annual list of MOST VALUABLE MOVIE STARS --

www.vulture.com/2013/10/most-valuable-movie-stars.html#/all/vulture-rankings

11.Hugh Jackman

The Entertainer

He rises on this list by mixing genres and making blockbusters that are especially powerful overseas.

Hugh Jackman has surged over the past year: On our 2013 Most Valuable Stars list, he was ranked a genial No. 31, but this year, he nearly threatened to storm the top ten. It’d be hard to think of someone more deserving, since Jackman has had a pretty phenomenal twelve months. Last winter, he won his first Oscar nomination for Les Misérables, which took in $441 million worldwide, his second biggest hit ever. This summer, U.S. audiences were just so-so on his X flick The Wolverine, which made a disappointing $131 million here ... but overseas, it was the biggest X-Men film ever, taking in $242.8 million. Even Prisoners, a relentlessly bleak kidnapped-kids drama, has thus far taken in $76 million worldwide.

But there’s more to draw from Jackman’s last year than box-office receipts. Few actors can prove so convincing in action, drama, and musicals, and Jackman pulled it all off within nine months, promoting each film with grinning brio. In an era during which new stars are hard to come by, he puts in the sort of globe-trotting promotional time that used to be the sole provenance of Will Smith and Tom Cruise. That’s won him high awareness and likability scores; it’s also prompted studio executives to assign the same points to Jackman that they do Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie. Jackman always looked the part of an A-list superstar; now, it seems, his career has finally caught up with him.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images



Rank Compared to 2012 : +20

Domestic Box Office : $60,000,000

Overseas Box Office : $183,498,468

Studio Value (1–10) : 9

Likeability : 73%

Oscars : 1 nom

Critics’ Score (1–100) : 55

Twitter Mentions : 1,186

Tabloid Value (1–10) : 7

Domestic Box Office, Overseas Box Office, and Critics’ Score are weighted medians. Likeability data provided by E-Score. All data except Oscars taken from 2008–present. Read about our scientific rankings.

I DISAGREE with the ranking of Hugh Jackman at only 11th place!

Re box office info -- Their ranking is supposed to be based on the last 5 years, but there are exceptions and exceptions that seemingly favor some people.. Why do that when this is supposed to be the ranking for the current year?? Maybe they could have used only the last 2 years to average box office appeal - because some movies spill over into the following year - but using the last 5 to rank a poll for a current year seems mentally dishonest! If you are looking for consistency, then it should be average 5 years for someone like Jennifer Lawrence, whom they ranked 3rd overall!

Likewise, if you are going to use a 5-year average for one factor, it is only fair that the other factors rated should also look at the last five years...and call it the Most Valuable Actor in the last 5 years? There is some inconsitency involved, favoring those who were very "valuable" in the past.

Also, how did they give him only 73% in the Likeability factor?? How is this measured??

Only 1186 Twitter mentions -- ha!! They say Twitter supplied the data -- they must be blind. Hugh has over 3.3 million twitter followers! And I do see the twitter mentions practically daily!

Tabloid value -- that is a factor?? LOL! Stupid poll then???

Here's the methodology - maybe one or two are fair ( except I do not agree with the methodology for box office appeal) but others are too subjective <boo>

www.vulture.com/2013/10/most-valuable-stars-2013-methodology.html


I think the ranking did favor some people they like in general! Like how can Bale be higher-rated (7th) than Hugh this year -- Bale's success in the box office is based on the past!! And his studio ranking is lower than Hugh.

To me, the most critical item ( other than the box office appeal) is the ranking by studios of actors concerned. Hugh is given a score of 9 out of 10, same as topnotcher Robert Downey. Only DeCaprio, Pitt and Hanks are rated 10 among the top actors.

I think the earlier-released ranking of the most powerful celebrities by Forbes is a better measure of value!

www.forbes.com/celebrities/


Hugh is ranked # 11 among all celebrities but is top rated among actors --

www.forbes.com/celebrities/#page:1_sort:0_direction:asc_search:_filter:Actors


Jo

[mamaleh]

I think he and Depp should have received each other's numbers, given the latter's sorry showings of late. That would have placed Hugh in the top ten. Maybe next year.

Ellen

[jo]

Meredith‏@merrycello50s
Hugh Jackman basically hit the jackpot IMO. Gets to sing musicals and be the bad ass summer blockbuster hero

And he gets an indie vibe recognition for his dramatic skills in PRISONERS. Hopefully, an Oscar will be lurking around not too long into the future.

Some fans were complaining again that the new XMEN movie is going to focus on Wolverine and Hugh Jackman once again. I couldn't find the reply, but it was spot on -- went something like this:

"He deserves it ...Because he has been a leading player in the last two years...he is the Tom Cruise ( presumably a recognition that he is now acknowledged a true movie star with the talent and the appeal) of this movie".

Another reply on another message board to the same complaint - paraphrasing it :

"I thought Fassbender and McAvoy could have actually carried the movie, but Jackman makes sure there is no risk"


I think his choice of projects in the next few years will be critical in cementing his eventual legacy as an actor and as a performer!

Jo

[klenotka]

Not sure where to put this....there is a thread in IMDB forum about Hugh´s favourite movie. The funny thing is, most people vote for The Prestige. I would love Hugh to work with Nolan again. I hoped in Interstellar but the truth is that Nolan can make much better "smaller" movies than big ones so maybe he could direct Hugh in some drama

www.imdb.com/board/bd0000007/thread/221931409

[Jamie]

Nov 9, 2013 12:41:34 GMT -5 klenotka said:

Not sure where to put this....there is a thread in IMDB forum about Hugh´s favourite movie. The funny thing is, most people vote for The Prestige. I would love Hugh to work with Nolan again. I hoped in Interstellar but the truth is that Nolan can make much better "smaller" movies than big ones so maybe he could direct Hugh in some drama

www.imdb.com/board/bd0000007/thread/221931409

My response to the question:

He is such a fine actor over just about any genre that you can name that it is hard to select one "best" simply because he makes all of them look "easy" as he blows every other actor working today out of the water with "this is how it's done".

So "best" musical would be Les Mis and don't miss him as Curly in Oklahoma next week on PBS for the filmed stage production.

Best drama: The Prestige. Honorable mention for The Fountain

Best thriller: Prisoners.

Best Action: XMen 2. & The Wolverine

Best Romcom: Kate & Leopold.

Best Epic: Australia though flawed great iconic character in Drover.

Best Cartoon/voice over: Flushed Away.

The industry is going to have to come up with a new genre just to make sure the man can do everything.

[jo]

Please add :

Best family movie -- Real Steel

Best drama ( honorable mention) - Erskineville Kings

Best Villain role -- Deception ( you almost get to hate him)

Best stage musical -- technically, Oklahoma! is not a film ... and equal mentions to the one-man show ( Back on Broadway) and the songbook musical The Boy from Oz. How could I forget Beauty and the Beast ( who says Hugh cannot play buffonish and silly?) and Sunset Boulevard ( excellent sung-through musical performance )

Best stage drama - A Steady Rain

Best Entertainer - Hosting 2009 Oscars and the 2004 Tonys

PS: I would put The Fountain ahead of The Prestige, because the portrayal in The Fountain is more nuanced and involved different kinds of acting layers/personas. Also, I would put his portrayal of Jean Valjean as the best performance on film regardless of category, as it involved a richer and wider character arc and required the highest degree of difficulty in executing ( acting, singing, physicality).



Jo

[jo]

Technically, off-topic, but relatable to his known versatility. The article analyzes why Hugh's talent, people-related skills, and business sense make him a role model for business entrepreneurship --


www.brw.com.au/p/lists/top-entertainers/2013/work_hard_network_entrepreneurs_ob7HAlnTdQts1oc4QeeNbO


James Thomson Editor

Work hard, network and be a nice guy: Hugh Jackman’s lessons for entrepreneurs

Published 23 October 2013 14:57, Updated 24 October 2013 08:48

Hugh Jackman’s been too nice for too long to be bunging it on as an act.

Here at BRW we’ve always been dedicated to tracking the stories behind the big dollars, and our annual Top 50 Entertainers list is a great example. Hugh Jackman, who might be staking a claim as the biggest Hollywood star to ever come out of Australia, dominated the list after recording almost $47 million in gross earnings after an amazing year.


At first glance, Jackman’s story wouldn’t appear to contain many lessons for entrepreneurs, other than look great, act well and learn to sing and dance.

They are, of course, fabulous lessons for life, but not really applicable for business. However, your intrepid editor was not to be defeated. After studying Jackman’s career, five insights for business did emerge.


Take risks

Jackman’s big pay days might have started when he donned the costume of the superhero Wolverine, but surely his most important role was on stage, playing gay icon Peter Allen in the musical The Boy From Oz.

The role was the complete opposite of the macho action persona Jackman could have got stuck with and underlined his range and flexibility. It was a decidedly entrepreneurial decision which changed his career and led to roles such as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.


Target multiple markets...

Jackman’s flexibility has allowed him to access multiple genres – action, romance, drama, musicals and even children’s entertainment – ensuring his potential earnings are well diversified. It’s an important strategy in the fickle world of entertainment.


. . . but have a cash cow

Diversification might be sensible, but having a big cash cow is profitable. Jackman has played Wolverine in six separate movies, all of which have had big budgets and big pay cheques attached. The longevity of the role is unusual but it has delivered huge returns.


Network

On the evening of his 45th birthday in mid-October, Jackman held a charity performance of his one-man, singing-and-dancing stage show to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund. It is a perfect example of how he networks in his own sector and why he appears to be held in such esteem throughout Hollywood.


Be a nice guy

Jackman works hard to show he is humble, thoughtful and down to earth in his dealings with the public, from his media interviews through to the social venture he has backed which is called Laughing Man Coffee & Tea. Is it an act? It certainly doesn’t seem to be; frankly he’s been too nice for too long.

But it is an important part of his personal brand and one which other entrepreneurs could learn from: no matter how successful you become, retaining your sense of humour and your sense of self does pay dividends.

Worth mentioning as postscripts:

*Hugh himself had at one time tried actual business entrepreneurship, when he was involved with SEED. It developed his skills for identifying projects and seeing it through a successful implementation. He had used a known business model ( the Buena Vista model of Disney) to pursue its business objectives. Even if SEED may have been permanently mothballed, the producing skills he developed there have been put to good use in major projects like the Wolverine spinoff movies as well as TBFO-arena tour. His involvement in the Wolverine movies were much deeper than the usual " producer" roles that other movie actors take -- he was involved in getting the Australian government support ( via tax breaks) to enable the movie to be filmed in his homeland. It also helped utilize Australia's considerable talents in the filmmaking industry. There is mention of Laughing Coffee in the article but the entrepreneurship goes beyond simply providing a money-making means for charity. He developed a relationship with the Euthiopian farming community to help organize access to markets, at fair trade prices, so the implications are beyond where the consumer market is based.

*His networking skills are considerable and it is not just for the film industry. In NYC, he has become a major member of the community involved in many arts ( museums) and community service ( Harlem Academies, the Donna Karan advocacies, etc.) in addition to his influence on the Broadway community ( It is little known but he is a member of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing; he has hosted the TONYs a few times, his humanitarian work for BC/EFA has been recognized with a second Tony,etc., and his relationship with the late Gerry Schoenfeld was well-established...and seems to have left him a link with the powerful Shubert Organization). On the political and economic front - he has been associated with former PM Tony Blair ( they work together in a foundation), PM Kevin Rudd of Australia ( he was in the summit for the future of Australia held a few years ago), his association with Nobel laureate Prof Yunnus and famed economist Jeffrey Sachs, his advocacy for World Vision part of which manifested in that speech he gave for a UN committee a few years ago, are all examples of how wide his network has become. And becoming friends with media mogul and fellow Aussie Rupert Murdoch...and also becoming an apple of the eye of media queen Oprah -- not bad, eh?

*But I would say that his relationship with fans ( whom he treats with graciousness and respect) is one of his most important relationships!

Jo

[jo]

Again, not simply focused on his film career, but here are some updates from Hugh, via Entertainment Weekly --

insidemovies.ew.com/2013/11/13/hugh-jackman-wolverine-sequel/

Just as The Wolverine claws its way toward DVD/Blu-ray on Dec. 3, talk is heating up about a possible sequel.For his part, star Hugh Jackman has neither confirmed nor denied whether he’ll sign on to play muttonchopped mutant Logan for an eighth time… but the odds are looking good. “I was on the phone with Jim Mangold last night,” Jackman told EW. “There are some really cool ideas that I’m dying to tell you, but that would be giving away a secret that is not even [fully] formed yet.”



Jackman insists that his lapsing contract with Fox, which reportedly will need to be renegotiated after X-Men: Days of Future Past premieres in May, doesn’t mean he’s leaving the franchise in limbo. “I started with a two-picture deal on the first two [X-Men films], and from that point on, it’s been movie by movie — not just me, but Fox and Jim and everyone,” he says. “I do want to do it with Jim and with [producer] Lauren Shuler-Donner because we had such a great experience. I’m really proud of The Wolverine.”

The star believes he’s mentally more committed to the character than he’s ever been. “I kind of am enjoying him more than ever… Being older helps playing Wolverine. He’s 200 or 300 years old — no one really knows — and he’s sort of world-weary. The actual working out gets harder and harder, I’ll admit.”

Still, Jackman insists the creative circumstances would have to be right for him to resume his grueling diet-and-exercise regimen in order to don the white tank top again: “I don’t want to dive into another one until we have a compelling reason to do another one,” says Jackman. “I love the character, he’s kind of like a best friend to me, and I don’t ever want to take [him] or the fans for granted. … I think we’ve got a great opportunity to make something really cool, but it has to be great. That’s what we’re all working toward.”

A Wolverine sequel isn’t the only thing in the coffers for Jackman, who will begin shooting Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie early next year (other principles in the film are already in production, he confirms). “It’s a very, very, very good script — very interesting,” he says of the sci-fi crime drama. “I can’t wait to work with Neill. … It’s going to surprise people in a lot of ways. He’s a real visionary.” Jackman reveals his character is named Vincent, and he’ll face off against Dev Patel’s Deon. Though the actors stand at equal height, Jackman’s weight advantage and extensive combat training gives hints that it might not be an entirely fair fight. “Good,” laughs the actor. “Crush him! I’m not in it for a close call.”

Beyond Chappie, Jackman is also still signed up for a biographical musical about Harry Houdini penned by Patel’s Newsroom scribe Aaron Sorkin. Jackman might also take his soaring tenor (which scored him an Oscar nod for Les Misérables) back to the big screen to play caddish Latin lover Aldolpho in the adaptation of Tony-nominated The Drowsy Chaperone. “I loved the original production on Broadway — incredibly funny and terrific, great fun,” he recalls. “I was not sure how that would translate [to film], but the script at the moment is wonderful. I think they’re trying to put the movie together, I don’t think it’s fully together yet, but they are talking to me about it, and I’m very interested in it.”

The only musical for which he definitely won’t be running scales any time soon (or ever)? Ironically, one about Wolverine. That musical could one day come to the Great White Way, but “not with me,” vows Jackman. Then he adds, “But, hey, they did Rocky. Who would have thought?”

* He seems to really like the professional assocation with James Mangold. Who would think that James Mangold would eventually become one of the directors that Hugh would likely work with the most times, along with Bryan Singer?

*If the project pushes through, his "I'm very inrerested in it" comment seems he might become Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone!

*EW did not update its files on Houdini ( re the Sorkin connection) unless Aaron has returned to the project without us knowing it


I wish he had indicated that there are other film projects that he is looking at. Wishful thinking on my part


Jo