Hugh Jackman celebrates X-Men’s 20th anniversary with flashback video

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Call me crazy, but Hugh Jackman seems like he knows how to stay in shape…

True story – years ago I was on a set visit for REAL STEEL, and when I was there I got to meet Hugh Jackman, who I’d go on to interview three more times (and every time he was an absolute gent – I gotta say he’s legitimately a nice dude). When I shook his hand I got a look at what must have been the most jacked forearms I’d ever seen in my life, and then Jackman dropped a bomb on me saying that he’d actually had to slim down for the part. So basically, this was Jackman “out of shape.” All I could do was stare at my own skinny forearms and hang my head in shame. Man, I wish I hadn't worn a short-sleeve shirt that day.

Flash-forward to today when Jackman, in honor of the first X-MEN film’s 20th anniversary, shares a BTS footage of him on set as Wolverine where, natch, he’s shirtless. Jackman said in his tweet that when he’d gotten the role he only had three weeks to get into shape (lest anyone forget, he was an eleventh hour replacement for Dougray Scott, who was committed to MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 reshoots.

So here’s the thing. When the studio called and asked if I could get in shape to play #Wolverine in 3 weeks. I might have over promised! But wouldn’t you have too? Happy 20th Anniversary X-Men Universe. #Xmen #20 pic.twitter.com/bwQJnmyZBI

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) July 14, 2020

It’s funny, compared to anyone else Jackman looks like a brawny hulk here, but by the time X2 rolled around and he’d had a decent amount of time to prepare, he was absolutely shredded. Oddly, part of me prefers the burlier version from the first X-MEN, although he certainly looks more like a superhero in the sequels.

Speaking of X-MEN's 20th, check out the very first teaser they made for the film way back when. It doesn't get more "2000" than this.