HOLLYWOOD actor Hugh Jackman didn’t seriously plan to return to his Wolverine character in the X-Men film series. He portrayed Wolverine in the X-Men series for the past 17 years.

Since he starred in X Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), The Wolverine (2013) and Logan (2017), Hugh has played Wolverine for nearly two decades. The last showed an aging Logan who already suffered as his healing ability is failing.

Hugh’s portrayal of Wolverine even earned him the Guinness Book of World Records title for “longest career as a live action Marvel superhero” in 2019.

He didn’t plan to do another Wolverine film with the character’s distinctive claws. He announced Logan would be his last. “Three days after my announcement, I saw Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool 1. said that was it finally until actor Ryan Reynolds went to me.

“I really did think that was the last,” Hugh said. “I believed my lie. It was like someone saying, ‘I’ll never drink again.”

But Hugh returned to Deadpool and Wolverine to reprise his superhero character. There is probably no one else that can do the character again.

“I was driving in LA, I remember the day, it was August 14, 2022, two years ago in Friday good traffic,” Hugh recalled. “I got a call from Ryan, who said, ‘Dude, tell me we could do this movie.’ I asked him, are you okay? No one rings on the phone anymore.

“Thankfully, everyone at Marvel and Disney said yes to the project even if they have all those other things.”

“I had more fun playing this character than ever before which is fantastic,” Hugh added. “I had a blast. I could see the two characters, they’re mismatched, odd couple.”

Hugh gave what the fans wanted and returned to his yellow suit in the latest Deadpool vs Wolverine film. When Hugh recently guested on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he talked about getting back to the Wolverine role.

“When Ryan told me, let’s do it, I said, ‘Alright, I’m in.’ But in my head, I didn’t know. So as soon as I put my suit on and he had his dimple suit, we walked on the set. A hundred crew members have done a hundred movies and seen everything, but you could hear a pin drop.

“It was such a hush. There was one guy who just started to cry. His kid’s name is Logan, just so you know. Then he said, ‘This is the best day of my life.’

“The suit feels so good and looks so good except when you’re urinating,” Hugh admitted. “It does not feel good. It’s like a labyrinth getting there.”

Wolverine eats steamed rock or fried rock. But Hugh, in real life, goes for steamed vegetables, tilapia and beans, strictly maintaining 6,000 calories a day. “It’s worth it,” he said.

TV host Jimmy Fallon smiled, “I’ve done the opposite. I just eat pizza the whole day. But you were great.”

There are so many cameos being floated, yet no names have been officially revealed. “Jimmy Fallon is not in the movie,” Hugh smilingly said. “King Charles is also not in the movie.”

Seeing Hugh and Ryan grace the premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine together, doing interviews on TV and radio, promoting the film everywhere are just so endearing.

“We talked about lifelong dreams,” said director Shawn Levy at the premiere night. “Bringing these X-Men characters into Deadpool and Wolverine, all of the mutants into the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has been a dream of mine for 25 years since I worked on the first X-Men film (2000).

“I thought tonight was not possible, but thankfully, here we are and it’s actually happening and Hugh Jackman, who I started with 25 years ago in the MCU, is playing his greatest performance is his character.

“I hope they will see that Hugh, Ryan and Shawn are three amazing friends before this movie, during this movie and now that the movie is finished, after this movie. We built this amazing friendship, camaraderie and love that people will see on the big screen.”

“It’s really impressive how they kind of bedazzle it with the comedy and fun that it Deadpool,” remarked cast member Brianna Hildebrand, who is making her acting debut in the film.

“Seeing the magic of Hugh and Ryan on the big screen is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

“To bedazzle it with the action-comedy that is Deadpool and they managed to marry it with Wolverine, that works so well together, that’s amazing.”

The two protagonists, Hugh and Ryan, have promoted Deadpool and Wolverine in Shanghai (China), Korea, Berlin (Germany), Brazil, London (England), back to New York and on their way to Toronto (Canada).

“We’ve seen amazing things going around all those places,” Ryan shared.

“It has been incredible,” Hugh added. “I guess the expectation and enthusiasm for the movie is so infectious and we are so proud of the movie. I can’t wait for fans to see it. The final unity of Deadpool and Wolverine together, everyone was looking forward to it.”

Deadpool and Wolverine is now showing in local theaters.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio