Hugh: Made millions from his iconic role as Wolverine
A two-decade journey as a Wolverine
Hugh first appeared as Wolverine in the 2000 film X-Men, marking the beginning of a 17-year journey with the character. The role turned the Australian actor into one of the most recognized anti-heroes in Hollywood, and Wolverine became his signature character. Hugh parted ways with his role in 2017 with Logan, a critically acclaimed film that won the hearts of fans around the world. However, in 2024, Hugh surprised the audience when he reappeared as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
In his return, fans not only got to see Wolverine again after seven years, but also saw the character don the iconic yellow and blue costume, a visual nod to the comic book fans never expected to see on the big screen.
Huge income from playing the role of Werewolf
Playing the Wolverine for over two decades has certainly been lucrative for Hugh. His return in Deadpool 3, alongside Ryan Reynolds, saw the Merc with a Mouth teaming up with a Wolverine variant to save his timeline. The Things shared that Hugh received a whopping salary of $20 million for the role, adding significantly to his already huge net worth.
Ryan Reynolds, who also plays a pivotal role in the film, also earned a similar amount, although his total earnings are yet to be revealed since he co-wrote and co-produced the Shawn Levy-directed film.
The X-Men Franchise: Successes and Failures
The X-Men film series produced by 20th Century Fox has had box office successes and failures. While some films, such as X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Dark Phoenix (2019), and The New Mutants (2020), struggled critically and financially, the series remains one of the most popular superhero series in cinema. Despite its ups and downs, Hugh’s Wolverine remains a fan favorite, cementing his place as a standout performer in the franchise.
Over the years, Hugh is said to have earned more than $100 million from the X-Men movies, including salary, bonuses, merchandise deals, and image rights. His dedication to the role paid off, and his portrayal of the Wolverine is now etched into cinematic history.
Bold gamble with Logan
Logan, released in 2017, is an R-rated superhero movie that breaks the mold of traditional comic book movies. Its darker tone and gritty violence are a far cry from the typical PG-13 rating of previous X-Men films. While Logan became a fan favorite and was hailed as one of the best comic book movies ever made, the decision to rate it R cost Hugh dearly.
Director James Mangold revealed in an interview that Jackman had to fight with studio executives to allow the film to have a darker tone, leading to the actor having to accept a pay cut. Moving Logan from a PG-13 rating to an R rating means the audience size will be smaller, thus potentially affecting box office receipts. However, Hugh was still adamant that this was the right direction for the film and was willing to take a pay cut to ensure Logan was made as he envisioned.
Hugh’s role as Wolverine over the years has not only cemented his place as one of the most iconic superhero actors, but has also brought him enormous financial success. His commitment to the character, even at the expense of his own earnings, demonstrates his passion for the role and provides an unforgettable experience for fans. With his return in Deadpool & Wolverine, fans are eagerly awaiting what could be one of his final performances as the beloved anti-hero.
