Early in his career earlier X-MenHugh Jackman auditioned for Miss Congeniality. The Australian actor is best known for his breakthrough role as Wolverine in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men movie series. After 17 years and nine films, his lengthy portrayal of the Mutant was believed to have ended in 2017. Loganalthough it was recently announced that Jackman will return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3 alongside Ryan Reynolds, an R-rated film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Like any great actor, there are many roles that Jackman has turned down or missed during his long career, the most important being James Bond in Casino royale. Another notable role he missed was in the 2000 romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock, Miss Congeniality. The film follows the Academy Award-winning actress as Gracie Hart, a tomboy FBI agent who goes undercover as a contestant in a beauty pageant to thwart a terrorist plot during the Miss United States event. Except Bullock, Miss Congeniality stars Benjamin Bratt as Gracie’s partner and love interest, FBI agent Eric Matthews, alongside Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, William Shatner and Ernie Hudson in supporting roles.
During a recent profile by VarietyJackman reflected on some of the roles he missed early in his career, including: Miss Congeniality. The actor recalls that he didn’t want the part, even though his agent gave him up to use it as leverage for another film that was offered to him. Somebody like you with Ashley Judd. Jackman had yet to go through the audition for Miss Congeniality opposite Bullock, which he refueled. Read below how Jackman described the failed audition:
Nobody knew X-Men yet. I was a nobody… [I remember thinking] “Holy shit! She’s amazing! And so fast and fast. I’m not even vaguely aware of this.” I kicked as fast as I could, but I didn’t know the script well enough… That’s humiliating when your agent says, “I don’t want you to get this job, just go get it.” And then you don’t get it.
How Jackman’s Career Changed After X-Men
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Early in his career, Jackman was best known for his theater roles, although he began to branch out into television and film, mostly romantic comedies such as Kate & Leopold and the above Somebody like you. That all changed when he was cast as Wolverine in X-men. The breakthrough role not only showcased Jackman’s acting prowess on a bigger stage, but also gave him other opportunities in films such as Van HelsingChristopher Nolan’s The prestige, and much more.
Before Jackman’s big break, he was mostly an unknown entity, so it’s understandable that he was a little intimidated and stopped the audition for Miss Congeniality about an incredible talent like Bullock. Everything turned out fine, however, despite a minor humiliation for Jackman, who still didn’t want the part that eventually went to Benjamin Bratt, whose performance was somewhat memorable in the blockbuster. Jackman’s career has not in the least stalled as a result of the failed Miss Congeniality audition too because he would blow up soon for X-Men.
Source: Variety
