Los Angeles – Hugh Jackman was initially rejected for the role of Wolverine, as the Australian actor was considered too tall to play the mutant superhero.
According to Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige, Scottish actor Dougray Scott was rehired after he dropped out at the last minute.
Scott was initially cast to play the clawed superhero in the 20th Century Fox mutant franchise, with Jackman traveling to Toronto to audition for the lead role of Wolverine.
But Tom Cruise did not want the actor to play the villain in both “Mission: Impossible 2” and Wolverine. Scott refused the role and the team decided to bring back the Australian actor.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Feige, who was then assistant to producer Lauren Shuler Donner, explained what happened behind the scenes before Jackman was hired.
“There was a scramble to get our Wolverine. Lauren was very excited about this Australian guy who was initially rejected. In my memory, one of the main reasons was that he was too tall. In the comics Wolverine is sometimes called ‘Lil’ Fireplugs.’ He’s a short guy. But they were desperate.”
The 6-foot-3-inch tall Jackman was called to Toronto for another audition, but after his readings with screenwriter Tom DeSanto and director Bryan Singer, the actor felt he had no chance. Not wanting to send Jackman “out in the cold”, Feige bought him dinner before driving him to the airport.
Jackman told EW, “I said, ‘Kevin, we all know I’m not going to get the role. You don’t have to have dinner.'”
“But no, he sat there and had a steak dinner with me and then drove me to the airport. I’ll never forget that. It was the best thing. I thought, I’ll never see him again.”
But Jackman wasn’t aware of what went into Scott’s last-minute exit.
Jackman announced his retirement from the role after “Logan” in 2017, but he will reunite with Feige for the upcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine” following Fox’s merger with Disney in 2020.
He also has the chance to work with Ryan Reynolds, who has been trying to convince Jackman to return as Wolverine for years.
“The notion that after all these years we are in a world where [Jackman] “It’s an amazing experience, having Wolverine, Deadpool and all the X-Men characters together under one roof,” Feige said.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” will be released July 26.
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