‘Was Told I’m Being Sent Back’: Hugh Jackman Reveals How Customs Paperwork Mishap Almost Cost Him Wolverine Role

Hugh Jackman almost lost the role of Wolverine 

Fans are thrilled and can’t wait for the MCU introduction of Deadpool and Wolverine. But it wouldn’t have been the same experience if Hugh Jackman hadn’t successfully persuade airport personnel to let him join the project earlier on.

Looking back on their incredible careers, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have shared some fascinating insights. For me, as an obsessed fan, it’s been a decade-long adventure watching Reynolds bring Deadpool to life, but for Jackman, it’s been over 20 years of unleashing Wolverine’s retractable claws on the big screen.

In an interview with The New York Times, The Prestige actor shared a story about almost losing the coveted role due to an past occurrence.

If you haven’t heard before, Jackman took over from Scott as the actor for the role. Looking back, he shared that in 1999, he wasn’t aware of the significance of the character he was going to play.

Additionally, the actor explained, “The issue arose when my documents weren’t in order at Canadian customs, resulting in my being asked to return.”

I approached the airport counter with a heavy heart, my eyes welling up as I explained to the official there that I’d just missed out on a tremendous opportunity. As I spoke, he seemed to pause and consider my words before asking, in surprise, if perhaps I was an animator. That’s when I recalled the interaction, my mind still reeling from the disappointment of losing what could have been a life-changing chance.

Following the description of his duties, the officer was taken aback, resulting in Hugh Jackman granting signatures and posing for photographs, all while obtaining necessary stamps on his documents.

Hugh Jackman talks about the role of Wolverine

On the set of 2000’s X-Men, where Hugh Jackman acted, he crossed paths with Kevin Feige. Back then, Feige held a production assistant role. In hindsight, Jackman shared that Feige had been kind to him, as Bryan Singer had already decided to cast Jackman as Wolverine.

When I overheard Singer mention, “Dougray Scott’s got the part,” I reluctantly left the audition room. Yet, Feige beckoned me to linger for a steak dinner. Little did I know that this seemingly casual encounter would lead to my wielding the iconic role for over twenty years as the beloved Van Helsing star.

Deadpool & Wolverine will be released in theaters on July 26, 2024.