"Wolverine in the comics is called ‘Lil’ Fireplug’ sometimes"- Kevin Feige
Since Hugh Jackman first unsheathed his claws as Wolverine in 2000’s X-Men, he has become synonymous with the clawed mutant, and a Marvel staple set to slice his way into Ryan Reynolds’ upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. Through his Marvel tenure, Jackman has won over audiences with his sheer commitment, charisma, and physicality. Yet, looking back at his casting journey, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the actor.
When Jackman was initially considered for the role, his towering 6’3” frame was a major stumbling block. Wolverine’s comic book counterpart is famously short, standing at just 5’3”. In today’s era of intense fan scrutiny and comic accuracy debates, it’s hard to imagine the uproar that would follow such a deviation. Kevin Feige himself admitted that Jackman's height would have sparked considerable backlash if cast today.
Hugh Jackman’s path to becoming Wolverine was anything but straightforward. Initially, Dougray Scott was set to don the claws but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible 2. Marvel heads, left scrambling for a replacement, found themselves in a tight spot. Despite their desperation, there was considerable hesitation around casting Jackman, primarily due to his height.
Jackman flew to Toronto to audition, reading lines for director Bryan Singer and screenwriter Tom DeSanto in what he described as a rather tense environment. Recalling the process, Jackman mentioned how people were “pissed to audition once again.” Rejected after his first audition because of his height, it seemed Jackman’s Wolverine dreams were over before they began.
Kevin Feige noted the desperation that had crept in. “There was a scramble to get our Wolverine. Lauren [Shuler Donner, his boss,] was very excited about this Australian guy, who had been rejected initially. In my memory, one of the main reasons was that he was too tall. Wolverine in the comics is called ‘Lil’ Fireplug’ sometimes. He’s a short guy. But they were desperate,” Feige stated.
In a twist of fate, that desperation led to a second chance for Jackman. Lauren Shuler Donner, recognizing Jackman’s potential, pushed for his casting despite initial reservations. The gamble paid off spectacularly. Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine became iconic, transforming him into one of the most beloved characters in the Marvel universe.