While Hugh Jackman has been playing Wolverine onscreen for over 20 years, the actor initially didn't believe he would crack the audition in the first place. However, it is interesting that during his audition that took place almost 20 years ago, the actor was provided only 20 seconds to prove himself.
The 51-year-old actor spoke with Jimmy Fallon as he appeared virtually on The Tonight Show on Aug. 18. Jackman recalled the very first audition that eventually made him an iconic star later. The actor revealed that the audition was held in 1999 for X-Men.
Fallon ensured as they talk about the audition, the audience watching remotely and the actor could see the footage as they discuss it. Although Jackman told Fallon that the clip wasn't long enough as the audition hardly lasted for 20 seconds.
Jackman has portrayed Wolverine nine times so far, though, at that time, the actor disclosed that he was no more than a backup actor for the creators. He never thought this quick audition will benefit him.
"When I walked into that room, I was pretty sure that I wasn't playing the role. It was a weird audition because Dougray Scott had the role and then he got caught up on Mission Impossible 2, but everyone thought that would get sorted," Jackman said during the interview.
While 54-year-old Scottish actor was occupied and yet the studio had their hopes to get him back for X-Men, Jackman knew that he was kept in the reserves. However, the actor said that the level of uncertainty was higher.
At that time, the studio informed the actor that they let him give the audition because the main lead is not available. Jackman considered this opportunity like "Hail Mary" as he had no burden while auditioning for the role.
The audition took place in Toronto and Jackman revealed that after giving the audition he went back to his home the next day. The Rise of the Guardians star said that he didn't think that they will ever connect back with him.
The Golden Globe Award-winning actor told the host with dangling thoughts that he would have never imagined these 20 years. The 45-year-old host agreed as the actor told that he believed before X-Men was released that movies based on comic books were not effective anymore. At that time, no one knew that the comic books' culture was so deep and important to fans.