Hugh-Jackman.com

Hugh and Wolverine will be featured in the next issue of Empire magazine in the UK which comes out tomorrow. There are also a couple of new Wolverine promo shots around but I’m trying to get hold of some better quality, untagged versions – watch this space!

It’s being widely reported that Hugh’s next film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, has gained several new cast members including the popular character of Gambit, a mutant from Louisiana with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy; he’ll be played by Taylor Kitsch of Friday Night Lights fame.

It’s also been confirmed that Deadpool, another Weapon X mutant who had his terminal cancer replaced by Wolverine’s healing factor, will be appearing in the movie and will be brought to life by Ryan Reynolds. As if that weren’t enough news, it’s also been revealed by an anonymous source that The Blob will make an appearance and is already filming test scenes – they’re using an actor in a suit rather than CGI.

We’re not done yet….Will.i.am from The Black Eyed Peas has been cast in the role of teleporting mutant, John Wraith aka Kestral, yet another Weapon X victim. The new cast members join the likes of Danny Huston (as Young Stryker), Liev Schreiber (as Sabretooth) and Lynn Collins (as Silver Fox).

From USA Today:

[thumb:18474:l:s=0:l=g]As if a guy with temper issues, iron blades for fingernails and a penchant for cage fighting needed it, Wolverine is about to get even surlier.”I know it seems odd given, you know, the guy is already half animal,” says Hugh Jackman, who revives the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, due in theaters May 1, 2009. “But with all the success of the X-Men, you feel the pressure to keep pushing it further.” Continue reading →

From Comics2Film:

Australian actor Christian Clark told a local news outlet in Mt. Gamble that he has been cast in the upcoming ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ movie.

The paper reports that the actor “was momentarily caught off-guard when asked about ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’, and inadvertently confirms his involvement, before realising the gag order in his contract prevents him from doing so or talking about it any further. But one thing is certain – Clark has a big future planned.”

Filming begins any day now so hopefully we’ll get some photos and the press train for Australia should be on the move soon.

From Aussie Bodies:

Filming of the upcoming movie Wolverine begins soon, with star Hugh Jackman working out in preparation for his role. Personal trainer Michael Ryan has been helping Hugh achieve greater muscle mass and significantly lower body fat, in order to transform himself into the beastly character he’ll portray.

Widely known as trainer to the stars, Michael often calls upon Aussie Bodies support in finding high quality products to accompany his training programs. He reports on the changing physique of his client and long-term mate. “Hugh’s weight has actually dropped over 4 kilograms since we began training for Wolverine. However we use a body scanning machine that has proven we have only lost .3 of a kilogram of muscle through that weight loss period so it is predominantly body fat that has gone. Initially we concentrated on building muscle and there was a significant increase in muscle mass so we’re happy with the results”.

In terms of training, Michael has given Hugh a high intensity weight training regimen with constant evolution; mixing the program up enough to shock the body into change. Medium amounts of cardio have also been used at the end of their workouts and in the early evening to encourage fat loss. To help them attain these goals the dynamic duo are using Aussie Bodies Mega Weight Gainer with other products including branch-chain amino acids, L-Carnitine, Arginine, and a slow release protein formula.

We asked Michael if he has any other dietary or training tips for people who need to bulk up in a certain time period. “There is no doubt the 6 meal per day theory works together with high protein to help reduce the potential to lose muscle mass. And it is important to use whey protein isolate and not some of the inferior products out there” he said.

Hugh and his wife Deborah Lee Furness are associate producers for Wolverine (of Marvel Comics and X-Men movie fame), which will be directed by Gavin Hood. Filming is expected to take 3-4 months in New Zealand and Sydney, during which time Hugh will continue training.

From SuperHeroHype:

The Joe Hachem & Shane Warne Charity Poker Tournament taking place at the Crown in Melbourne on Friday, November 30th is auctioning off a role in Wolverine:

A walk on roll in Hugh Jackman’s upcoming film “Wolverine”, to be filmed in Sydney in March 2008. Includes flights, accommodation and your photo with Hugh Jackman. Lookout Hollywood!

From Stuff.co.nz

An explosive end is in store for the Hollywood blockbuster Wolverine, to be shot in the South Island this summer Continue reading →

Charitybuzz is auctioning a day on the set of X-Men Origins: Wolverine with Hugh Jackman for up for 2 people in Australia where filming begins January 2008.

The chance to spend a day with Hugh is being auctioned to raise money for Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP). NYRP partners with individuals, community-based groups, and public agencies to reclaim, restore, and develop under-resourced parks, community gardens, and open space in New York City, primarily in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Go here for details!