12 Perfect Casting Choices That Launched Major Film Franchises
7. Hugh Jackman Wolverine In The X-Men Films
Originally, the role of Logan/Wolverine in the first X-Men film was given to Scottish actor Dougray Scott. However, the filming of Mission: Impossible II, in which Scott was playing the villain Sean Ambrose, went over schedule, the role was recast three weeks into filming, with the Australian actor Hugh Jackman. Since Wolverine was the most popular character and the lead for the film, it was a big risk, but it was one that paid off. In the first film, despite being the lead character, Wolverine has very few lines and most of them are terse putdowns. However, the character required a fierce presence because of his combative nature. Jackman prepared for the role by watching the Dirty Harry and Mad Max films. He was also insistent about doing his own stunts as much as possible. A trip to the barber in order to match Wolverines spiky hairstyle, plus the addition of adamantium claws and an attitude, made him as favored a character in the film universe as it did for the comics. Jackman has embraced the role wholeheartedly, and has reprised the role in seven X-Men films, more than any other in the vast list of X-Men actors. Typecasting hasnt hurt him: he won Tony and Drama Desk awards for the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz; been nominated for an Oscar in the film adaptation of Les Misérables (he hosted the show in 2009); and even been considered for the role of James Bond (he lost out to Daniel Craig).
