As a performer, Hugh Jackman has an extensive on-stage and cinematic resume dating back decades. Though, despite such a laundry list of credits per IMDb, Jackman might be best known for his role as Marvel’s Wolverine in the “X-Men” film series. Seeing as how Wolverine (aka James Howlett/Logan/Weapon X) is a jacked mutant with regenerative powers, vicious claws in his hands, and an almost unmatched ferocity, anyone playing the character must have the prerequisite physique. This has never been an issue for Jackman, who will unleash the character’s famed claws once again quite soon.
On Nov. 8, 2024, Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine in the upcoming “Deadpool 3.” It will be his first appearance as the impeccably strong character since the critically acclaimed “Logan” in 2017. While there (understandably) aren’t too many plot details out in the open yet, Jackman will star alongside actor Ryan Reynolds, who is playing the eponymous Deadpool. Over the past few months, Jackman has shown off various hints of his recent training progress to be fit like Howlett again.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jackman had originally been at peace to hang up his “claws” after playing the character for 17 years across nine films. Part of the reason had apparently been the physical toll it took on the now-54-year-old’s body, as he told CNN/HBO’s Chris Wallace in an early January 2023 episode of Who’s Talking To Chris Wallace?
In the interview, Jackman denies taking steroids to build a trademark physicality for Wolverine. With speculation running amok for years, Jackman said he instead did it the “old school way.” Now, as he gets set to play Wolverine again, Jackman is eating “more chickens” (for his nutrition) and crushing it in the gym.
Recent Instagram teasers of Jackman working out to play Wolverine again include the actor running through dumbbell biceps curls (weight undisclosed) in early February 2023. Then, later that month, the actor shared a clip of himself running through a seated leg press machine with the caption, “middle school French class really kicking in now.” Finally, and most recently in March 2023, the actor shared a black-and-white glimpse of himself performing a weighted plank/ab slider exercise with a bumper plate (weight undisclosed) on his back.
The caption was simple and directly referenced his upcoming acting plans.
“If you’re looking for me, I’m becoming Wolverine again.”
It’s clear that Jackman is getting himself back into the mentality (and physicality) of playing someone as ripped and imposing as Wolverine. Based on his previous stellar fitness results as the famous superhero on the silver screen, it seems evident that the actor’s prescribed gym rigors more than do the trick.
Featured image: @thehughjackman on Instagram
