Hugh Jackman didn’t want to be typecast as an action hero after playing Wolverine.

Speaking with IndieWire, legendary Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman spoke about how he compares to the characters he portrays, saying “Spend five minutes with me and you’ll know that couldn’t be further from who I am.”

After gaining worldwide recognition as the popular X-Man, Jackman decided early in his rising career to avoid becoming typecast as an action movie star. “I didn’t want to do the same things,” he said. “You know, the role of the hero action star. I mean, it was the meat-and-potatoes of a lot of American film, that archetype. It was all various forms of heroic guys in tough situations. I was like, ‘Uh, no. This is a problem.’”

When inquiries came for the role of James Bond, he said “I had a look at it; I was like, ‘If I’m doing that and Wolverine, I’ll have no time to do anything else.’ I clearly find it more interesting to play people who color outside the lines.”

Jackman will return as Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds in Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL 3. Coming to cinemas November 8, 2024, the film has Shawn Levy (Free Guy) on board as director, with OG writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick returning as scribes.