Actor Hugh Jackman’s friends have been teasing him for some time about going shirtless in almost every film he makes.�
The Australian actor manages to take his shirt off in several movies of late, specifically those where he portrays beefed up Wolverine, the mutant superhero from the X-Men series. So, we asked, if strength is part of his character, what’s the problem with taking off your shirt?�
Movie Review: Can Hugh Jackman pack a punch in Real Steel �>>
He gets too much flak from his friends, he says. At a press conference in Beverly Hills, Jackman explains how embarrassing it is for him. In fact, on the set of his new film, Real Steel, he went to great lengths apparently to shoot scenes where he doesn’t take off his shirt.
Warm up boxing scenes are shown with him in a hoodie. Early morning wakeup scenes are shown with him wearing a T-shirt. In every situation they could think of he’s got some kind of fabric slapped across his back. But still, there is one moment in the film – when he has to change clothes quickly from his duffle bag -- when he bares all and shows his glorious chest.�
Was that in your contract?�
“Was that in your contract?” his says his mates ask him. “Did you agree to that...?” Apparently, they like to "ring" him up and give him an earful every time they see a bulging bicep. Why not come around to his house, fellas? I guess Wolverine over the phone is a lot less intimidating than on his front doorstep.�
In Jackman’s new film, Real Steel, he plays a reluctant father who is suddenly reunited with his 11-year-old son. Jackman still had to stay in tiptop shape for this film, he says, because his character is an ex-boxing contender.
Hugh Jackman catches heat from his wife �>>
The modest actor smiles when he talks about getting trained by boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard and that if he wasn’t in show business he would really like to be a professional athlete. Showing his chest so ladies will swoon? It’s not in his character to even think about himself as a sex object. In fact, he says his wife could hardly believe it when he was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2008. “She told me to take out the garbage,” he says. Seems like he has no problem staying grounded.�
Not just a pretty bicep
And, personally, the 42-year-old actor seems pretty genuine about not wanting to flaunt his near perfect body. We get the sense he wants his fans to know he’s not only muscle. This is apparent in his film choices, action figures not being the only notches on his belt. He has stared in several dramas and thrillers, including Australia, The Prestige, Deception and even the time warp romantic comedy Kate & Leopold opposite Meg Ryan.�
Hugh Jackman wants to be on Glee �>>
Jackman also wowed audiences with his stage talent by singing, dancing and stealing the show when he hosted the Oscars in 2009. His upcoming show on Broadway “Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway” will most definitely showcase his talents as a stage performer as well. In addition to belting out numbers in the theater, he is also set to play Jean Valjean in the musical version of Les Miserables, the classic tale of one man’s redemption in 19th century France. The film is due out in 2012.�
NEXT PAGE: Hugh Jackman: Broadway, musicals and voice lessons...
{pageBreak}
Broadway, musicals and voice lessons...
With all this singing and dancing, in addition to his hefty Wolverine workouts, Jackman has decided that he also needs to have a singing lesson once a week in order to keep his voice muscles properly tuned. “If Pavarotti had to have a voice lesson once a week, then I need one, too,” he says.� Anything you say, Mr. Jackman.�
If Wolverine tells you he needs a voice lesson, he needs a voice lesson.� Sheknows sat down with the talented stage performer, singer and cinematic actor to find out how this Australian hottie pleases so many ladies by taking off his shirt even though he doesn't have to.�
Shirtless: To be or not to be...?
SheKnows: You take your shirt off in this movie… thankfully. But was that in the script? Whose idea was it?�
Hugh Jackman: I said to Shawn [the director], “I can’t tell you how much crap I get for taking [my shirt off.]" People say, “Is this in your contract? Do you have to have your shirt off?” and I’m like, ugh. �
SheKnows: I understand you tried not to take your shirt off?
Hugh Jackman: So, we went through things, seriously. In the boxing sequence, you see I have a hoodie on. Or, I always have a T-shirt on. And that one scene [where I take my shirt off] was written, I kind of forgot about it, as did Shawn. It was written, I remember in the script, it said, “Charlie drops his bag, he changes because let’s not forget he has one bag of clothing and he lives in a truck. So, he changes wherever he is.” I thought, yeah, that’s good to show that.�
NEXT PAGE: Hugh Jackman: On taking a hit from Sugar Ray...
{pageBreak}
Taking a hit from Sugar Ray
SheKnows: What’s it like to have Sugar Ray Leonard as a boxing coach?
Hugh Jackman: Sugar Ray was pushing me like a madman. He was like, “Hey, my name is on this movie, I’m not gonna have you make me look bad, like some actor.” He was always on me about my left hook. He said, “I pulled it short.” He was onto me about that.
SheKnows: Were you surprised to hear that Sugar Ray was going to train you?
Hugh Jackman: I remember being asked about it. They said, “We’re thinking about hiring Sugar Ray to work with the robots and the choreography and also to help you out with the boxing. Are you cool with that?” I was like, “Can I get this straight? Are you asking me if I’m OK having one of the greatest boxers of all time as my personal trainer? Is that what you’re asking?” Yeah!�
SheKnows: Did Sugar Ray intimidate you?
Hugh Jackman: I was a little star struck when I met him. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of big movie stars and famous people, but deep down, if I was any better at it, I would be a sportsman. So, meeting someone like Sugar Ray, I kind of turn into a little kid.�
Sugar Ray packs a punch
SheKnows: What was it like on the set?�
Hugh Jackman: We did a photo shoot, you know those photos that you have of Charlie as a boxer, so, we shot those three months before when I was in Wolverine shape… so, they brought Sugar Ray in about three or four months before we started working on the film. So, he’s showing me and he was sort of into it, but we weren’t really working yet. He’s doing his boxing thing, he has the ability to punch you but sort of just hit you. But every time I was flinching. And then, the behind the scenes camera came out, cause they’re like, this is great footage for the DVD. And the red light went on and I just saw him out of the corner of my eye, and he just started wailing on me. Like, he could not control himself. Camera. Champ of the world. Bang! Bang! And I’m like, "Whoa!" Of course, I’m the actor, too, so I see the red light and I’m like, I’m fine [puts on a brave face], but I think I still have the bruises to this day.�
NEXT PAGE: Hugh Jackman: His wife makes him take out the garbage...�
{pageBreak}
Sexiest man doesn't get you far at home
SheKnows: What do you say to Eddie Murphy now that he’s hosting the Oscars?
Hugh Jackman: I can not wait to see him do it. I watched his stand up tapes when I was a kid. He’s one of the funniest guys out there. The Oscars are always the best when you don’t know what to expect, and that’s what he’s going to deliver I’m pretty sure.�
SheKnows: What did you learn from hosting the Oscars?�
Hugh Jackman: Steve Martin gave me the best advice. I rang him because I’m not a comedian and I was like I’m not sure how this is going to go. I said, “What do you think?” He said, “Here’s what you gotta know... The first 45 minutes is the best audience you’re ever gonna get in your life because all they’re thinking is thank god it’s not me up there. And after that first 45 minutes, there are more losers than winners in the room so just hurry up and get to the end.”
SheKnows: Do you want to direct someday?�
Hugh Jackman: No, I’m way too indecisive. I’d be terrible. “Mr. Jackman, the red dress or the yellow dress?” I’d go, “Yeah, I love them.” “No, no, no, which one? The red or yellow?” It would be like that all day long. I’d be the worst.�
SheKnows: How do you stay grounded?�
Hugh Jackman: That’s exactly what my wife said to me when they rang me and said, “Oh, you’ve been named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.” And I was like, “Deb, so, didn’t know you were married to the Sexiest Man Alive, did you?” She said, “What?” I said, “Yeah, I’ve just been named the Sexiest Man Alive.” She said, “Really?” I was like, “Babe, please.” And she said, “Not Brad Pitt?” And I was like, “No, they gave it to him twice already.” She said, “Alright, take the garbage out.” That doesn’t get me very far at home. �
Photos courtesy: WENN, Disney and 2oth Century Fox
Hugh Jackman brings robot boxing to a whole new level in Real Steel.
�
Chris Hansen Christina Aguilera Christina McLarty Chronicles of Narnia Clash Of The Titans
No comments:
Post a Comment