Let’s face it, when you are Hugh Jackman, you can admit just about anything and still get heart eyes from those around you. Such is the case when the Logan star admitted last week that he didn’t know wolverines were legitimate. He thought the X-Men character, Wolverine, was a wolf and even researched wolves for two weeks to bring some lupine realness to his short, Canadian, brawling character with retractable claws. Huh, “short, Canadian, brawling, retractable claws” sounds familiar – oh yeah, that’s the definition of a wolverine! (Not really, they can be also be Norwegian.) So committed was Hugh to being the best wolf in hunky Australian clothing, Bryan Singer had to call him out on it after viewing his early takes.
The 48-year-old actor, who has played the superhero Wolverine in nine films, explained that he thought his character was a wolf. “I didn’t even know there was a wolverine. I literally, embarrassingly did about two weeks of research on wolves,” he told the Associated Press on Wednesday, May 17. “I was rehearsing for three weeks and I was shooting, so I was kind of on my own. I remember going past an IMAX in Toronto, and there was an IMAX documentary about wolves, and so I thought, ‘I’ll go and see that.’”
While shooting 2000’s X-Men, director Bryan Singer felt that something was off with Jackman’s Wolverine portrayal. “He said, ‘Are you sort of walking funny, what’s going on?’” Jackman recalled. “And I said, ‘I’ve been doing this thing with wolves,’ and he goes, ‘You know you’re not a wolf, right?’ I said, ‘Well, there’s no such thing as a wolverine.’”
According to Jackman, Singer replied, “‘Go to the zoo, dude.’ I literally didn’t know it existed.” While the names are alike, wolverines resemble small bears and are part of the weasel family. They are known for being incredibly strong for their size and can kill much larger prey. Similarly, Jackman’s Wolverine character possessed super strength and retractable claws modeled after the real-life animal.
I was going to unleash my full arsenal of sarcasm – lovingly, of course – on Hugh for this when our very own – and my most benevolent boss – CB admitted she, too, did not know wolverines were real animals until a few months ago. Unlike Hugh, who was taken to task by a long-time comic book aficionado like Singer, CB was laughed at by her son. Having a son the same age, I can assure you CB’s hazing was far harsher than Hugh’s.
So, in light of wanting to keep my job this new information, let’s come up with a viable reason that Hugh did not know wolverines existed outside of yellow and black spandex. Quite simply, he’s from Australia and they have enough fauna that will kill you in an instant to worry about something that only exists in cold climates. And wolverines are pretty low to the ground, with Hugh’s height, he might not have seen one as they scurried past – or maybe he mistook it for an Australian-sized cat? What I find far more entertaining than Hugh studying the wrong animal, is to have seen Singer’s reaction to his wolf performance. Hugh must have been so bummed to realize he wasn’t this majestic pack animal but, in fact, a form of weasel (all due respect to weasels).
I’m certain of one thing, though: Deb knew exactly what a wolverine was but kept cheering Hugh on in his wolf performance, just for her own amusement, “more baying, Hugh – really put your back into it!”
“You know I’m real, right Hugh?” “Oh, sure “You’re Highness”.”
Photo credit: WENN Photos and Getty Images
I’m certain of one thing, though: Deb knew exactly what a wolverine was but kept cheering Hugh on in his wolf performance, just for her own amusement, “more baying, Hugh – really put your back into it!”
Hilarious!
Agree! And if I were Deb, that is exactly what I would have done.
Anyone else see the videos of the guy who raises wolverines? I didn’t know that was possible until a couple of days ago. Dude must have the safest house in the world.
Guess he doesn’t root for U. of Michigan. Love him as always!!
I didn’t know wolverines were real till I moved to Ann Arbor and saw stuffed ones at the University Museum
Love this guy he seems so real and genuine.
Me too.
I know of someone who didn’t realise bats were real. He thought they were some kind of fictional creature like dragons or unicorns. I guess it must have been the vampire connection that fooled him.
LOL.
WHAT the eff is that on Deb’s feet?
Hahaha, I’m a huge X-men fan and I didn’t know that wolverines were real animals for the longest time either. Granted, I’m not a native English speaker and I DID know the animal in my own language but still. I’ll take the Australian excuse. 😀
Same Hugh. *hides*
I’m an Aussie, and I knew that wolverines were actual animals, but thought they were a type of wolf (it seems logical, given the name). It was only from reading this article that I learned they aren’t. They’re a weasel? Really?!!
I think a lot of Australians wouldn’t know that – just like a lot of people overseas wouldn’t know what some of our native wildlife were (bilbies, bandicoots, kookaburras and goannas, just as a small example).
So don’t sweat it Hugh – you totally get a pass on this one…
I knew what Wolverines were and I’m Australian but it’s hardly surprising an Aussie didn’t know what they are, they’re not exactly something we encounter – even Americans don’t encounter them much.
Most of the world is pretty ignorant about Australian wildlife. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t know that Tasmanian Devils are a real animal and not just a cartoon character, for example.
Well until recently I thought bandicoots (like in the Crash Bandicoot video game) were not real, so can’t blame you Hugh