Hugh Jackman Auditioned for ‘Miss Congeniality,’ Failed Terribly

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It’s hard to feel sorry for Hugh Jackman.

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The 54-year-old Aussie is in better shape than men half his age. Beyond acting, he can sing and dance. (In fact, if he gets EGOT, he’ll only have to pick up an Oscar.)

But while Hugh Jackman clearly takes his career seriously, he can also laugh at himself — a rare feat among actors. In fact, Variety recently published an article about Jackman’s early years as a starving artist.

Sandra Bullock Blindsides Hugh Jackman

The X-Men actor revealed to Variety that, at his very first audition, he read with Sandra Bullock for Miss Congeniality.

“No one knew X-Men yet,” Hugh Jackman reportedly said. “I was a nobody.”

The actor didn’t sulk for the rest of the audition, though. He was so mesmerized by Bullock’s performance — even just reading for her part — that he knew he had to up his game.

Per Variety, Hugh Jackman recalled thinking to himself, “‘She’s amazing! And so quick and fast. I’m not even vaguely up to speed here.’ I was pedaling as fast as I could, but I didn’t know the script well enough.

“It was the first time I’d tested [with another actor],” Jackman added. “I was impressed that she was in there. I didn’t expect her to be in there. I’m guessing eight people she tested with.”

From Humiliation to Domination

Benjamin Bratt secured the role and played opposite Bullock in Miss Congeniality, which turned into a box office hit. Another big film of 2000 was X-Men, which introduced Jackman to the mainstream courtesy of Wolverine.

Jackman told Variety it was “humiliating” to not secure a role his agent really wanted him to get. Jackman noted that it was the first time he had shared the embarrassing story.

Not only that, Hugh Jackman recently acknowledged that he isn’t retiring as Wolverine after all. Even though he (and Patrick Stewart) are the longest-running live-action superheroes in the Marvel Universe, Jackman can’t seem to say goodbye. Expect to see him in his wolf outfit in September 2024, when Deadpool 3 hits theaters.

Read More: “Watch Hugh Jackman Lose It While Sir Patrick Stewart Talks About His Circumcision Story

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