You can call up any number of reincarnations of Batman, interpretations of Spider-man, or any version of comic book heroes we have followed along over the cinematic history of cinema, but if there was one way both moviegoers and the studios can agree on, there is only ONE Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman made his titular debut in 2000’s X-Men, the first of many films of the series to make their way as one of the first strongly independent series of films outside the clutches of Marvel’s [later] Cinematic Universe. While the qualities of the films have been mountains of differences to one another, Jackman has always remained consistent as becoming the very embodiment of Logan and his adimantium rage.
However, comics writer Chris Claremont, who has been writing the Uncanny X-Men way back in the 70s, mentions he had a very different interpretation of the character in mind. Talking with The Hollywood Reporter, Claremont spoke of his experience from watching the film Lassiter and how it inspired the iconic X-Man to perhaps be played by British actor Bob Hoskins.
“The image I had of Hoskins was from the films he made in England where they emphasized, in terms of his character, the harshness, the Cockney, the brutality of him.”
Strangely enough, the date isn’t too far off the failed pilot episode of the potential animated series, “Pryde of the X-Men” in 1989, which featured a cockney Wolverine from Patrick Pinney (or, as many kinds know, the Spongebob Squarepants “Are you ready kids?” pirate painting). If that was anything compared to how “cockney” and “brutal” we were to imagine for him, then we at least have some idea.
Regardless, the timing held off was just right as we get the one and only Wolverine to share this journey with. Still, the thoughts of “other” options is going to be a big topic to return with Jackman’s announced retirement from the role.
Hugh Jackman claws his way one final time in Logan, opening this Friday.
Should we go into a “Cockney” role for him, or has the emphasis of Jackman’s Wolverine been too great to make that change now? Let us know below!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter