Imagine if Russell Crowe Had Played Wolverine: A Missed Casting Opportunity

Cinematic history is often filled with intriguing "what ifs?" regarding iconic roles. One of the most compelling questions is how different the character of Wolverine would have been had someone other than Hugh Jackman played him. Initially, Dougray Scott was cast as Wolverine for the first ‘X-Men’ movie, but due to scheduling conflicts with ‘Mission: Impossible 2’, Jackman stepped into the role. 

Interestingly, Jackman later revealed that Russell Crowe was also considered for the part. In an interview with Howard Stern, Jackman explained that Crowe turned down the role but recommended him to director Bryan Singer, saying, “I don’t want to do it, but you should look at this guy.”

Image Courtesy: Collider

Crowe's decision not to take on the role might have been influenced by his work on ‘Gladiator’. He mentioned that he was hesitant to be associated with wolves, which were a recurring theme in ‘Gladiator’, especially with his character Maximus featuring a wolf symbol. “I didn’t want to be ‘wolfy,’ like ‘Mr. Wolf,’” Crowe stated. Ironically, those wolf references were eventually cut from ‘Gladiator’.

Despite not playing Wolverine, Crowe's recommendation had a significant impact on Jackman’s career, who later credited Crowe for helping him land major roles, including in ‘Australia’. While Crowe went on to portray Superman’s father, Jor-El, in ‘Man of Steel’, he also advised Henry Cavill, which helped launch Cavill's successful career. Although Crowe never donned Wolverine's claws, his influence in shaping the superhero genre and supporting fellow actors is noteworthy, particularly as Jackman prepares to reprise his iconic role in the upcoming ‘Deadpool’ film.

–Farheen Ali