“If he can take someone’s head off..he’ll take it off”: Mike Tyson Had a Huge Influence on Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
Hugh Jackman is known for his spectacular performance in the X-Men series as Wolverine. He rose to fame with Wolverine and the first standalone project from the multi-million dollar superhero franchise was based on this character. He hanged his adamantium claws on the doors of the X-Men franchise in 2017.
The Australian actor surprised his fans around the world after announcing his comeback with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool 3, which is slated to release in 2024. Not many people know that a reputed boxing legend greatly influenced Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Was Hugely Influenced By Legendary Boxer Mike Tyson
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Australian actor confessed that the Wolverine’s character was greatly influenced by the legendary boxing champion Mike Tyson. He said-
“I was very adamant at the beginning in 1 and 2— I used to watch tapes of Mike Tyson — and I was like, I don’t want it to be pretty. I don’t want it to be martial arts. I don’t want him to be anything other than, like, a street fighter. He doesn’t fight for the sake of fighting. If he can take someone’s head off in the first punch, he’ll take it off,”
During an interview with the famous chat show host Stephen Colbert Hugh Jackman spoke about Wolverine and how he had no knowledge about the X-Men. On his appearance on Late Night With Stephen Colbert, he even said that he used to believe that the Wolverines were not real. He said-
“Embarrassingly, I didn’t know what a wolverine was…. And I presumed it was a made-up name for the comic book. I’d never read an X-Men comic. I’d never seen a wolverine… So I presumed it was a wolf.”
Hugh Jackman came into the media spotlight with Wolverine. The character was well-appreciated and loved by X-Men fans around the world. With the third installment of Deadpool, Hugh Jackman would be seen reprising one of the most beloved characters in the history of entertainment.
Hugh Jackman On How He Has Evolved As A Person With Wolverine
During an interview with the famous media platform Collider in 2014, Hugh Jackman was asked about how he has evolved as a person with Wolverine. He mentioned-
“A lot. And it’s nice to have a touchstone like this, something to go back to all the time. Bryan has photos and I see photos of how I was and you see, 14 years ago after playing the same character, it seems a lifetime ago. And this character is very much the foundation, the spine of my career, so I can easily see how I’ve changed.”
While pointing out the significant changes, the actor confessed about being more confident over the years with Wolverine. He explained-
“I’d say I’m more confident- I was very much an actor based in the theatre when I got the job and I’d done some TV and film but I was more comfortable on the stage and I think that’s equaled out for me as much, I’ve been lucky enough to have a number of shots at being in films. So I’m enjoying that as much and loving it.”
He further added-
“I’ve grown more confident and probably my appreciation for the character has grown. And that thing where you know there’s a day when you’re not going to be playing it, and that becomes clearer to you. I’ve been doing it for 14 years, so of course at some point, I’m going to have to pass it on.”
He even appreciates the character more and even enjoys wearing the adamantium claws. He said-
“So I guard it more jealously, I appreciate it more and I’m enjoying it more than ever. I think the last Wolverine movie was a script I could really get into and this one equally is something I’ve enjoyed as much as any of the others. I’m very chatty today, sorry! I’m giving long answers.”
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Deadpool 3 is set to release on May 3, 2024.
Source: Entertainment Weekly/ Late Night With Stephen Colbert/ Collider
