Hugh Jackman Didn’t Want to Return as Wolverine for One Big Reason

Hugh Jackman revealed in a joint interview with Ryan Reynolds for People’s latest issue (on newsstands Friday) that there was one major consideration which almost kept him from returning to the role of Wolverine.

Despite definitely killing the character off at the end of 2017’s Logan, Reynolds convinced Jackman to return to the Marvel fold much to the protest of producer Kevin Feige. But Jackman wasn’t itching to return to his uber-buff superhero alter ego for one reason: he was exhausted with enduring the role’s physical demands.

“I had got to the point probably 10 years ago [when] I was like, I’m not enjoying it. It was hurting. It was tough,” Jackman told People.

He knew that in order to reprise Wolverine, he’d have to enter into an exhausting exercise regimen for at least a year, potentially longer. Ultimately, Jackman decided that he’d been outside of the X-Men fold for long enough that it seemed like a novelty to return.

“I’ve had a break, and I’ve been doing a lot of dance. I’ve been doing stage shows,” Jackman said. “And so when I came back to [Wolverine], it was really fun.”

Reynolds couldn’t help but call his co-star’s bluff, telling the outlet that Jackman still possesses uncanny action-hero chops even at age 55.

“When Hugh Jackman is coming at you at 150 Australian miles per hour, you feel like there’s no way you’re not going to be dead in four seconds,” Reynolds cracked. “And I will never forget that. And thank God I’m in a mask, because under the mask my face is going, ‘Oh God!'”

Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26.