Hugh Jackman: Size Matters For Playing ‘Wolverine’ And Serving As Academy Awards Host

Tags:

Hugh Jackman,Nicole Kidman,Oscars
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: April 30, 2009 8:32 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Hugh Jackman relied on his Wolverine alter ego to pack on muscle for the “X-Men” role, and he turned to the Oscars to slim back down.

The 40-year-old actor trained for a year to achieve his character’s look.

“My goal was to make him look like an animal,” a much leaner Jackman said recently. “I wanted people to be unnerved when they saw him.”

Among the first to be unnerved? “Australia” director Baz Luhrmann.

Jackman was co-starring with Nicole Kidman in the epic love story when he started bulking up for “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

“Baz said, ‘Mate, whatever you’re eating, can you slow down a bit because I’m going to struggle to edit this together,’” Jackman recalled, adding that there are a few scenes in “Australia” where he’s “beefier” than he ought to be.

The director had issues with Jackman’s size again when the two collaborated on the opening song-and-dance number for the Academy Awards.

“Baz was like, ‘You’ve got to lose weight … You’re too bulky,’” Jackman said.

Luckily, Jackman discovered the ideal weight-loss plan: “Singing and dancing is the greatest diet in the history of the planet,” he said. “Well, that and performing in front of a billion people.”

Despite the pressures of the Oscar performance, the gregarious actor said he’d take on the hosting task again without hesitation.

“I’d do it again if I was asked,” Jackman said. “I loved every second of it.”

Copyright 2009 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on and now!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What Do You Think?

After Oprah leaves, who should be the next daytime TV queen?

  • Oprah Winfrey arrives to the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast
     
  • Katie Couric smiles in New York
     
  • Kate Gosselin signs copies of her book ‘Eight Little Faces’ at the 2009 Women’s Conference - Day 1 at Long Beach Convention Center on October 26, 2009 in Long Beach, California
     
  • Sarah Palin in October 2008
     
  • Rosie O’Donnell at the ‘America’ Premiere
     
  • Ellen DeGeneres performs at a taping of '‘Ellen’s Even Bigger Really Big Show’’ during The Comedy Festival at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on November 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada
     
  • Tyra Banks keeps it fierce at the 4th Important Dinner for Women in New York City on September 23, 2009
     
voteview results & comments