An Indestructible 'Wolverine'

Actor Hugh Jackman Helps X-Men Claw To No.1

(CBS)  Hugh Jackman plays the bad boy (but good guy) Wolverine that comic book and movie fans have grown to love in "X2: X-Men United."

In a visit Tuesday to The Early Show, Jackman discusses his role as the brooding Wolverine, or Logan, who searches for clues to his past while helping his team of mutants save the world in the latest successful X-Men action movie.

The Australian actor was first introduced to American audiences after taking on the role of Wolverine in the first "X-Men" movie, in 2000. In fact, he was called to replace an actor to play the rogue mutant. Jackman reprises his role three years later, but this time, his character of Logan reveals a lot more about his mysterious past.

The uncanny X-Men are the heroes of a world that fears and does not want them. The "mutants" are evolved humans with extraordinary powers, such as teleportation or telekinesis.

In the movie, Wolverine has the power of rapid self-healing. Jackman says this presents a particular problem for him in the fact that Wolverine never ages,” Which when you're doing multiple versions of movies is a problem. But still, I'm sure in Hollywood, we can work this out,” he says.

Wolverine also possesses unbreakable bones and claws, which makes him extremely dangerous.

“He's got a few anger management problems,” says Jackman about his character. “In fact I'm a little worried because my little boy he's enamored by Wolverine at the moment. And he's 3. And I keep thinking,'What about Winnie the Pooh?'”

Jackman notes laughing that his son has a little Wolverine toy that he calls Dada.

“And I'm already thinking therapy," the actor quips. "He takes his toy to bed at night. And occasionally he rolls onto it. It's voice activated. And if you press the tummy, here's my voice saying, ‘This kick will take you down.’ In the middle of the night, I hear, ‘I'll slice you in half,’" Jackman jokes.

In the film, Wolverine searches for answers to his origin and finds that his past is somehow tied to a current plot to destroy all mutants.

Jackman says, “This is an action movie. It's a fantasy. It's great fun. It's a real thrill ride. But there are some serious issues to the movie. And there are some epic themes. And even for the characters, some interesting subplots. For me as an actor, it's a great chance to be on such a fun ride but to have some meat on the bones, shall we say.”

The anti-hero also finds some added chemistry with fellow X-Man, Jean Grey, who already is in a relationship with another X-Man, Scott Summer (Cyclops).

"X2: X-Men United" had a record-breaking opening weekend, taking in more than $155 million at the box office worldwide. It debuted with the fourth-best opening-weekend gross ever and a 58 percent increase over the $54.5 million first weekend of the original "X-Men" movie three years ago.

Jackman is not yet signed to do “X-3.” But he is committed to an appearance on Broadway as the late entertainer Peter Allen in the musical "The Boy From Oz." This is not his first time on the stage. In 1998, he was Curly in the National Theatre Company's London revival of "Oklahoma!"

Jackman says “to go to Broadway is probably one of the greatest honors you can ever have as an actor. And to do the first Australian musical there is a great thrill. So, in fact, you have to kick me and drag me back from wanting to go there. It's a great thrill.”

Some Facts About Hugh Jackman

• Hugh Jackman was born in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 12, 1968
  
  
• In 1991, Jackman completed one-year intensive acting course at The Journey at Actor's Center in Sydney, Australia
  
  
• In 1992, Jackman was offered a part in the popular Australian soap "Neighbours"; turned it down and instead enrolled in Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
  
  
• From 1994 to 1995, Jackman starred in the prison drama "Corelli" on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; He also played Detective Eric Ringer on the Australian television series "Halifax f.p."
  
  
• From 1995 to 1996, he was featured as comical villain Gaston in the Australian stage premiere of "Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast"
  
  
• From 1996 to 1997, Jackman starred as Joe Gillis in the Melbourne production of "Sunset Boulevard", directed by Trevor Nunn
  
  
• In 1997, he hosted the weekly lifestyle series "In Fashion," on Australia's Foxtel network
  
  
• From 1998 to 1999, Jackman played Curly in the National Theatre Company's London revival of "Oklahoma!," directed by Nunn; production was taped and released in Great Britain on video and DVD
  
  
• In 1999, he starred in the low-budget Australian drama "Erskinville Kings"
  
  
• In 2000, Jackman portrayed Wolverine (replacing Dougray Scott) in the film version of "X-Men"
  
  
• In 2001, Jackman was featured in "Someone Like You," starring Ashley Judd; he co-starred with John Travolta in "Swordfish"; and he acted opposite Meg Ryan in "Kate & Leopold"
  
  
• In 2002, Jackman acted in the short film "Standing Room Only" — the directorial debut of his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness
  
  
• In 2003, he'll star as the late entertainer Peter Allen in the Broadway musical "The Boy From Oz"