Wolverine: Hugh Jackman interview

Hugh Jackman needs no introduction as Wolverine, yet they made a whole movie to introduce him. X-Men Origins: Wolverine shows all the history that had been wiped from Logan’s mind before the X-Men trilogy began. Also, he hooks up with Kayla Silverfox and fights Deadpool.

Crave Online: What was your reaction to the piracy of Wolverine?

Hugh Jackman: Now it seems like long time ago. At the time it was very upsetting but now, I think, these big summer movies if people want to see them, they want to see them at the movies.

Crave Online: How did the screenplay changed between the Benioff version and the previous version?

Hugh Jackman: The ending changed. The very beginning changed. That was Gavin’s idea, I thought it was fantastic. He wanted to go from one of the great X-Men’s comics, the origin story, one of the better versions of Wolverine. Then there are few characters that are there and not here.

Crave Online: How protective do you feel about this movie versus the other X-Men movies, since this is really you, front and center?

Hugh Jackman: Every role I do has no less effort or desire. Every film has that sense for me, as an actor. But, obviously, this movie has a different dimension, as a producer. Particularly, I found myself asking the cast what they thought of the movie, and I was nervous about it. In that way, I feel it’s more personal to me. It’s more my baby. I asked all these actors and Gavin Hood, the director, to come on board, so obviously I’m more attached to it. It feels more personal. That’s the difference.

Crave Online: Why was it important to you to include more of Wolverine’s relationships in this, as well as the action?

Hugh Jackman: Comic book fans have loved Wolverine, and all the X-Men characters, for more than the action. I think that’s what set it apart from many of the other comic books. In the case of Wolverine, when he appeared, he was a revolution really. He was the first anti-hero. There was not just good guys versus bad guys, but an internal battle of good and bad, going on within the character. That’s why people relate to them. Yeah, they’re cool and they’ve got claws and can do amazing things with swords and cards, and all that great, fun stuff, but each one of them has a personal battle going on, and that’s why audiences can relate. So, yes, the first priority of this movie is for it to be fun. I want people to come and have a great time. I want them to be entertained. I want them to go on see it on a big screen with their friends or whoever, and just have a great time. But, what we have an opportunity to deliver, and this is in the comic book itself, is to make them think a little bit and make them feel, and take them on a journey through these characters.

Crave Online: Did you reinterpret Wolverine to make him a little bit different from the Wolverine character that the fans got to know in the previous X-Men movies?

Hugh Jackman: About every third day, for the rest of your life, you hear a critique about how you played the part, what you should have done differently, and what you can do the next time, if you ever get a shot at it. I knew exactly what fans wanted, and not just the comic book fans, but fans of the movie. It’s fair to say that, by X-Men 3, Wolverine had gone a little soft, and I agree with them there. What fans love about Wolverine is his more uncompromising approach to life. He is who he is. He’s not always a nice guy. He has got edge. He’s an anti-hero. And, there’s also a vulnerability in there. There is conflict and battles going on in there. With Gavin and the other actors, I had the chance to explore that more. I wanted the film to feel different. Gavin and I talked a lot about the aesthetic and tone of it. It’s a little darker, a little rawer, a little tougher and, hopefully, maybe even a little more human. That’s really what has appealed to me about the comic book. And, no more black leather suits.