Hugh Jackman: The Busiest Man In Hollywood

Actor Made 6 Movies In 6 Months After 2 Years Away From Film

(CBS)  Hugh Jackman took two years off from starring in movies to make his Broadway debut in "The Boy from Oz," for which he won a Tony.

Upon returning from his film sabbatical, Jackman made six movies in six months — and it was time well spent. The most recent movie, "The Fountain," opens in theaters across the country tomorrow.

Jackman seems to have his fingers in everything. He recently bought the rights to the musical "Carousel" and is planning on staring in a prequel to the "X-Men" series, called "Wolverine." But he said "The Fountain" is one of the most challenging projects he ever worked on. He says it is less a movie and more of "an experience."

"Don't think of it as a movie, but almost like a piece of abstract art," he told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith "You just see what you feel about it. This movie is a love story, very romantic."

"The Fountain" takes place at three different times and Jackman said, in a way, he plays three different characters. The movie asks what would happen if people could live forever. It's a love story that takes place over 1,000 years, but the message is simple, Jackman said: "Love is the most important thing. Smell the roses, go for a walk."

Jackman said his role in "The Fountain" is by far the most challenging he has ever had. He said he would be completely drained after shooting and once spent 45 minutes lying on the floor of his trailer in an attempt to recover.

"It's a gift for an actor," he said. "I was so excited, nervous at the same time, because it's not often in movies you get a chance to do all that stuff; to really push yourself. I mean, emotionally I was as raw as I've ever been."

Jackman's costar is Rachel Weisz, who plays someone who is about to die and has to come to terms with her impending death. Her lover, played by Jackman, is tormented over it.

"And I think we can all relate to that," he said. "Very hard to imagine actually coming to peace with dying. It (the movie) has some hard moments in it, but it really is very life-affirming and really romantic."

Jackman also lends his voice to of one of the Penguins in the hugely popular "Happy Feet."

"I play a character called Memphis. He originally was called Elvis," Jackman said. "I play a penguin who thought he was Elvis, and I came back for my second session and he was called Memphis. I said, 'Does this have something to do with the accuracy of my impersonation?' "

[btr2oz]

Where did this reporter extract his information? Hugh didn't take two years off to play Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz, he only did the show for one year which was what he committed to. He never missed a performance. I am among the lucky ones who got to go to NYC on 3 trips to see Hugh and Wicked. I made a memory page for the show http://www.beyondtherainbow2oz.com/bfo.html

While doing Boy From Oz (BFO) he took time out to film Van Helsing. This year he toured Australia (his homeland) with The Boy From Oz they revamped and recast the show and it was always a sell out.

He's busier, and a harder working actor/performer/father/husband than any celebrity I've ever seen. He may be confess to being all ham but there is no arrogance, and celebrity has not effected him whatsoever.
Elaine in Kirkwood, MO

[tinker3478]

He's really attractive!

[paljj2]

Being a Hugh fan, I know he didn't make six movies in six months (which would be impossible since a normal movie takes about three months to film) - he did make six movies, but they took a period of three years to film and are just all being released at the same time.

[paljj2]

Being a Hugh fan, I know he didn't make six movies in six months (which would be impossible since a normal movie takes about three months to film) - he did make six movies, but they took a period of three years to film and are just all being released at the same time.