You Can Thank Tom Cruise for Hugh Jackman Starring as Wolverine in X-Men

Fans of Marvel find it hard to envision any actor other than Hugh Jackman portraying Wolverine on the silver screen, despite another actor stepping into the role in “Deadpool & Wolverine” last year. An intriguing backstage tale discloses that we owe Tom Cruise for Jackman’s extended stint as Wolverine in the X-Men series. However, Dougray Scott didn’t express gratitude towards Cruise when he shared this interesting detail during an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2020. This 59-year-old Scottish actor admitted that he was initially the top choice for the role of Logan back in 1999, but his commitments to “Mission: Impossible II” prevented him from taking on the part.

In a straightforward manner during their conversation about the Wolverine role, Scott asserted that Tom Cruise wouldn’t allow him to take on both roles simultaneously. “While we were working on Mission: Impossible, he told me to stay and complete the film,” Scott explained. “I agreed to do so, but also wanted to pursue other projects as well. However, for some reason, he wouldn’t let me.” Cruise was quite influential at that time, and many were trying to facilitate a solution, but it didn’t work out.

At that point, Scott was gaining significant recognition due to his critically acclaimed roles in “Ever After” and “Deep Impact.” He took on the role of the main villain in “M-I-2,” portraying Sean Ambrose, a renegade IMF agent. This performance greatly enhanced Scott’s global acting reputation at the time, and it is one of his most memorable roles to this day.

Scott didn’t hold any resentment towards Jackman for being absent from the two-decade X-Men franchise. Instead, he expressed: “I admire what Hugh accomplished with it. He’s a great person.” However, it’s clear that a character like Wolverine would have been a game-changer for anyone who played it during that time, as the popularity of superhero films was rapidly escalating.

For Jackman, starring as Wolverine in the X-Men series was a significant milestone in his career. Prior to this, the Australian actor had enjoyed success on stage with musical theater and a few roles in local films and television productions. His casting as Wolverine came as a surprise given his lesser-known status and strong association with musical theater – quite different from the gruff, beastly character of Logan. Yet, he excelled in the role, becoming a globally recognized star for many years afterward.

Over the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate enough to see Hugh Jackman bring Wolverine to life in seven incredible films, peaking with the 2017 blockbuster Logan. Despite announcing his departure from the role, he astonished us all by returning last year for Deadpool & Wolverine. The film ended on a note that left room for Jackman’s potential return, and while Marvel Studios hasn’t officially confirmed any plans yet, there seems to be an unspoken agreement between them and Jackman that the door remains open.

If Scott had taken on the role of Wolverine as intended, it’s hard to predict how the superhero genre might have developed over time. With Logan being such a significant figure in big-screen comic book adaptations, replacing him feels almost impossible for some viewers. In various universes, they feel just as strongly about Scott’s interpretation of the character.

Throughout his career, Scott has had roles in various comic book adaptations. In 2016, he portrayed Thomas Abigail during the second season of “Fear the Walking Dead,” and in 2019, he took on the character of Jacob Kane in “Batwoman” on The CW. Scott was also a contender for the role of James Bond following Pierce Brosnan, and since then, he has been featured in numerous action films. Despite never donning a superhero costume on screen, given the hints dropped by the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga, it’s not inconceivable that we might see him in such a role.

2025-01-05 02:09

Read More