He’s the beloved Australian A-Lister who recently called time on his iconic Wolverine character.
And Hugh Jackman has revealed he almost became the legendary celluloid spy James Bond, but turned down the role at the last minute.
Speaking to Variety to promote his latest film, The Greatest Showman, Hugh revealed he said no to the role as he felt the scripts had become too unbelievable.
Shaken not stirred: Hugh Jackman has revealed he almost became the legendary celluloid spy James Bond, but turned down the role as he felt the scrips were too unbelievable’
‘I was about to do X Men 2 and a call came from my agent asking if I’d be interested in Bond,’ Hugh told the publication.
He added: ‘I just felt at the time that the that the scripts has become so unbelievable and crazy, and I felt like they needed to become grittier and real.’
Hugh also revealed that he decided not to apply for his licence to kill as we has told by producers that he would have no say in the character’s direction.
‘I just felt at the time that the that the scripts has become so unbelievable and crazy, and I felt like they needed to become grittier and real,’ Hugh told Variety
‘The response was: “Oh, you don’t get a say. You just have to sign on.”I was also worried that between Bond and X-Men, I’d never have time to do different things.
The iconic role was inhabited by Peirce Brosnan when Hugh was asked to don the iconic tux, with Daniel Craig eventually stepping into James’ shoes for four Bond films – Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, as well as an unnamed installment due for release in 2019.
Ironically, those four Bond films did take a much more realistic approach to the franchise’s predecessors.
The iconic role was inhabited by Peirce Brosnan (pictured) when Hugh was asked to don the iconic tux, with Daniel Craig eventually stepping into James’ shoes for four Bond films – Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, as well as an unnamed installment due for release in 2019
Back at it: Daniel had previously spoken about his desire to hang up the Bond tux, telling Time Out in 2015 that he would rather ‘slash his wrists’ than play the iconic character again. However, Daniel reportedly netted a whopping $150 million to reprise the role in two installments
Daniel had previously spoken about his desire to hang up the Bond tux, telling Time Outin 2015, after the release of Spectre that he would rather ‘slash his wrists’ than play the iconic character again.
However, Daniel reportedly netted a whopping $150 million to reprise the role in two installments.
Saying no to Bond obviously didn’t hurt Hugh’s career, with the star going on to star in seven X-Men/Wolverine films, and becoming one of the most beloved celluloid superheroes, before hanging up the adamantium claws after this year’s well received Logan
Bankable: Saying no to Bond obviously didn’t hurt Hugh’s career, with the star going on to star in seven X-Men/Wolverine films, and becoming one of the most beloved celluloid superheroes, before hanging up the adamantium claws after this year’s well received Logan