He's that reluctant hero, and he's a fairly classic version of it. He reminds me of characters I always liked, Mad Max, Dirty Harry, Han Solo, where there's more going on than what they're letting on. -- Hugh Jackman on Wolverine
X-Men Film Series, Wolverine
There are reasons why Wolverine, the feral, cigar-chomping tough guy of the heroic-mutant X-Men, is as angry and conflicted as producer-star Hugh Jackman portrays him in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine.' The character has suffered untold trauma and loss since his birth in the 19th century, his aging is slowed by his mutant "healing factor", and an animalistic antagonist has been dogging him for decades. It's no wonder he flies into the occasional berserk rage.
This fourth installment acts as a prequel to the X-Men film series, focusing on the violent past of the mutant Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and his relationship with his half-brother Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). The plot also details Wolverine's early encounters with Colonel William Stryker(Danny Huston), his time with Team X, and the bonding of Wolverine's skeleton with the indestructible metal adamantium during the Weapon X program.
Jackman is also a producer on the movie - it's the second project from the production company, Seed Productions, which he founded with his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, and business partner John Palermo. He lobbied for the film to be shot in Australia and New Zealand, making it the first X-Men title filmed in those countries, and calls the movie "my baby."
The third in the X-Men series, the movie revolves around a "mutant cure" and the polarizing effect it has on mutant/man relations. With the pressure on mutants to give up their powers and pledge alliance with the human race, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) urges tolerance as his nemesis Magneto (Ian McKellen) gathers a powerful resistance in preparation for the ultimate war against humankind.
The second film in the X-Men series. When a failed assassination attempt occurs on the President's (Cotter Smith) life by the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), it's Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his School for Gifted Youngsters who are targeted for the crime. Meanwhile Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), just home from a failed mission to regain his memory, is in charge of the students when a crack-commando team led by by the villainous William Stryker (Brian Cox), infiltrates the school by order of the President.
The first film in the X-Men series based on the fictional Marvel Comics characters of the same name. Psychic Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) leads a school of skilled mutants called X-Men, a peacekeeping force to safeguard the world against a race of genetically mutated humans known as Homo Sapiens Superior. However, Magneto (Ian McKellen), a mutant with a powerful magnetic charge, has also begun to organize a team to strike first against what he believes to be a threat from humanity. When he kidnaps Rogue (Anna Paquin) from the X-Men's compound, Xavier and his forces must rescue her, even as they continue to vie with Magneto for the fearsomely strong mutant battler Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
Video Games
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (VG).....Wolverine (voice)
Released: 2009, Genre: Video GameX-Men: The Official Game (VG).....Wolverine (voice)
Released: 2006, Genre: Video Game
Jackman was required to add a great deal of muscle for the role of Woverine in the X-Men series, and here Hugh talks about how he accomplished the task.
'I wanted audiences to say: "This guy could easily rip someone's head off." So I consulted a natural bodybuilder; because, of course, I'm not interested in doing it any other way. And what I realised is that how you look is 30 per cent how you train and 70 per cent how you eat. It means waking up at 4am and eating egg whites, and then every three hours after that eating chicken or salmon, boringly steamed with vegetables and brown rice. Then no more carbs after lunch, 4,000 calories in total.'
He packed on 15lb of pure muscle for the role, which entailed 'insane workouts' with his long-time trainer and friend Michael Ryan.
'We're very competitive - he trash-talks me the entire way. He'll say, "I'm gonna smash you, that's pathetic" - we play that game. I listen to music I'd never normally listen to, like Metallica. But Godsmack's my favourite because it's angry and driving.
'When I'm training I'm fairly obnoxious - I make a fair bit of noise. I beat my record on the bench, which is about 300lb, but I only train for an hour; it's the intensity that counts. It is interesting - I think I am Wolverine when I'm training because then I can lift more weight and that's what it takes to feel the rage.'
The actor uses pragmatic tricks to tap into Wolverine's pain - such as 3:00 a.m. ice-cold showers: 'It really makes you want to smack someone.' -- Hugh Jackman: Mail On Sunday, April 5, 2009
