Hugh Jackman is widely regarded as one of the most successful performers working today. Jackman has a reputation as an actor that is as diverse as it is possible to be, ranging from his renowned depiction as a volatile adamantium-wielding mutant in the “X-Men” film saga to his role as a struggling circus owner in “The Greatest Showman.”
The actor has gone on to enjoy commercial as well as critical acclaim throughout his or her career. He is just one award short of obtaining the coveted EGOT designation, which is bestowed upon those who have been honored with all four of the most prestigious prizes presented in the entertainment industry in the United States: the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar Awards. Jackman is already the proud owner of two Tony Awards, in addition to one Grammy Award, and one Emmy Award. Before moving to Hollywood, he began his career in the Australian theater and television industries, where he gained experience that would later serve him well in the film business.
In movies like “Kate & Leopold,” “X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “The Prestige,” and “Logan,” the actor has starred as the main character. Jackman was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Jean Valjean in the epic musical picture “Les Misérables,” for which he received the nomination.
Jackman is now widely regarded as one of the most in-demand performers in Hollywood due to his versatility as an actor, his acting chops, and the inherent ability he has to dominate a scene anytime he is in it. There was a period when he was still nothing, and he even had tryouts when he was on the losing side of the chorus line. However, he had more modest beginnings than many other performers, and he eventually became successful.
In an interview for a story that was published in Variety, Hugh Jackman recounted a time in the early stages of his career as an actor when he botched an audition, and as a result, he was passed over for a role in the movie “Miss Congeniality,” which is now considered to be a classic. Continue reading to find out more about what transpired with Jackman throughout the casting process.
After that, he was cast as Curly McLaine, the main role in the production of “Oklahoma!” that was staged in the West End. In addition, he had a starring role in the television film adaptation of the same musical, which highlighted one of their performances at the Royal National Theatre.
Jackman’s career began in the theater, and although that experience is dear to him, it did not prevent him from pursuing a career in Hollywood. When he was cast as Wolverine in the “X-Men” film franchise, it rocketed him to higher heights and opened doors of chances for the relatively unknown actor.
Even as early as 2003, he began to get greater notoriety in the world of theater and Hollywood. Jackman was asked to serve as the host of the Tony Awards for a period of three years running, beginning in 2003 and continuing through 2005.
In the movie “Van Helsing,” he also portrayed the character Gabriel Van Helsing, who wore a gothic trenchcoat. The following year, in 2004, he reprised his role in the animated sequel “Van Helsing: The London Assignment,” which was also released that year.
Jackman, however, had to put forth a tremendous amount of effort in order to be considered for those roles. In his recollection for Variety, he related how his talent manager had to get him a part on Sandra Bullock’s “Miss Congeniality” before he could be considered for a part in Ashley Judd’s “Someone Like You” in 2001. He said that this was the only way his talent manager would consider him for the part.
Many people in the entertainment business place as much importance on an actor’s talent management as they do on the actor’s performing ability. Jackman’s talent management at the time encouraged him to try out for a part in the then-upcoming romantic comedy film “Someone Like You.” Jackman’s career was only getting started at the time. However, prior to that, his manager was tasked with ensuring that he would be cast in the part of Bullock’s romantic interest in the film “Miss Congeniality.”
“No one had heard of ‘X-Men’ at this point. In the feature interview with Variety, Hugh Jackman reflected on his past and said, “I was a nobody.”
He said that while they were running lines together with Sandra Bullock, he was shocked by how amazing she was and exclaimed, “Holy sh*t! She is incredible! And with such speed and agility. I’m not even close to being caught up at this point.’ I was peddling as quickly as I could, but I wasn’t familiar enough with the screenplay to go very far.
Benjamin Bratt, an actor and producer who has been nominated for an Emmy and who was well-liked for his on-screen chemistry with Sandra Bullock at the time, was cast in the part instead of Hugh Jackman, much to Jackman’s disappointment.
Jackman views it as both an educational opportunity and a hilarious anecdote that he relishes the opportunity to retell whenever he has the chance.
It is really embarrassing when your agent tells you, “I don’t want you to get this job, but just go get it.” And when that happens, you just don’t grasp it,” he said.