When Bob Hoskins was considered to play Wolverine

Before Hugh Jackman, the actor from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was one of the favorites in the race for the claws.

With the release of Deadpool & Wolverinethe debates around a change of actor in charge of carrying the heavy claws of the X-Men hero have returned. The film makes several references to it in a humorous tone, notably via a cameo that delighted more than one. Kevin Feigethe big boss of Marvel Studios, also spoke out on the subject, arguing that the next person to lend his features to the character must absolutely avoid the pitfall. “to imitate Hugh Jackman”.

Yet, if the Australian actor – who became the face of the anti-hero from the first X-Men of Bryan Singerin 2000 – seems obvious to many (including Stan Lee), his casting was not an obvious one. Initially, comic book fans had protested against Fox's choice, because the Wolverine imagined by Roy Thomas, Len Wein And John Romita Sr. is described as a 5'3″ man with a hairy face and a pug-like appearance. Not exactly how one would describe Hugh Jackman…

What you need to know is that Chris Claremontcomic book writer in charge of comics X-Men from 1975 to 1991 had his own idea of ​​what the characters should look like. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was already working on an adaptation of the comics X-Men for the big screen (a project which had interested James Cameron for a while), and had found the perfect Wolverine: Bob Hoskins.

Bob Hoskins of Super Mario Bros., Hook And Who Wants Roger Rabbit's Skin? No. “Don’t think about Super Mario Bros.but rather to Racketeering”Claremont said in 2010.

The British actor already had a few roles as angry men (as Wolverine is described on paper) to his credit at the time. In Racket: Blood on the ThamesHoskins performs a “godfather” bloodthirsty and bloodthirsty leader of a London criminal organization. A few years later, he played the role of George, an ex-convict and grumpy driver for a high-class prostitute in Mona Lisa. Roles far removed from the friendly inspector of Roger Rabbit.

Another reference for Claremont: Signed: Lassiter. Bob Hoskins plays a Scotland Yard inspector tasked with arresting a gentleman burglar played by the charismatic Tom Selleck. According to Chris Claremont:

“In one scene, Selleck shows up at the door of the house [de Hoskin]Hoskins looks at him, lunges forward and pushes Selleck back into the aisle, shouting: 'You come to my place ?' and repeating it over and over as he pushes Selleck back down the alley and into the street. The expression on Selleck's face is 'Holy Sh*t!' and I thought, bingo. That's Logan. That instant rage.”

However, when the film project around the X-Men comes to fruition, under the leadership of Bryan Singer, it is Dougray Scott1.83m, elegant and slender who is chosen to embody the character on screen. Finally stuck on the set of Mission: Impossible 2Hugh Jackman, his 1.89 m and his equally slender build, replaces him at short notice, and the actor has been playing the role for twenty-four years. And for another ninety years if we believe Wade Wilson/Deadpool…

We're glad Fox gave him a chance, right?

Deadpool & Wolverine accomplish their mission [critique]