X-Men writer Chris Claremont once envisioned Bob Hoskins playing Wolverine

After the sad news of the passing of actor Bob Hoskins the other day, many have been recollecting about the cinematic career he had and the numerous roles he put his stamp on. The fiery actor had the ability to growl his way through every scene like a hard-ass with a heart of gold. But, I never would have ever thought of him for the role of Wolverine.

Back in 2012, during a speaking engagement at Columbia University, X-MEN comics writer Chris Claremont was asked about his dream casting if the Bryan Singer original movie had not come to fruition. His answers were surprising.

“James Cameron, Bob Hoskins, Angela Bassett — ahhh. Fanboy heaven. I would have been happy as a clam.”

Hoskins as Wolverine, Bassett as Storm, with Kathryn Bigelow directing and Cameron producing. Wow, that is insanely cool. It may be hard to envision anyone but Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, but take a moment and think about Hoskins. Wolverine has always been portrayed in the comics as a shorter guy as compared to the other mutants and superheroes in the Marvel universe as well as incredibly hairy. Jackman, while buff, is not exactly a carbon copy of the traditional Wolverine model. Hoskins would certainly have been able to do some training for the part, but he has the vocal delivery that would have been perfect for Logan.

I guess we will never know how that would have turned out. But, we still have a pretty awesome Wolverine as it is.