‘I’ve Just Been Stabbed By Wolverine!: Logan’s Original Claws Were Sharp In The OG X-Men Movies, And Hugh Jackman Says They Led To Major Mishap On Set

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‘I’ve Just Been Stabbed By Wolverine!: Logan's Original Claws Were Sharp In The OG X-Men Movies, And Hugh Jackman Says They Led To Major Mishap On Set

As a long-time fan of the X-Men franchise and Hugh Jackman‘s iconic portrayal of Wolverine, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer grit and dedication that went into bringing the character to life on screen. The tales of behind-the-scenes mishaps and close calls are as legendary as the battles between good and evil in the series, and Jackman’s anecdote about accidentally stabbing a stuntwoman during filming is no exception.

Prior to sharing the summer screen with Marvel’s Jesus as Deadpool and Wolverine in 2024, Hugh Jackman honed his skills in the role across all X-Men movies produced by 20th Century Fox, from the initial release in 2000 up until Logan in 2017, which was widely praised. However, it wasn’t just acting where there were cuts involved; the props and costume department actually used real metal blades for Wolverine’s claws.

During a recent appearance on the talk show “Chatting with Chris Wallace” (available through a Max subscription), Jackman discussed his past role as Wolverine and how the process differed greatly in the early days when superhero franchises were uncommon and the term “forthcoming Marvel films” had little significance. With a sense of awe that has endured for decades, the actor reminisced about a clip from the original X-Men film featuring his fight with Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, expressing astonishment even now.

In the fight, it was Mystique’s stand-in that I wounded instead, initially we didn’t realize they were made of metal and were genuinely sharp. This added an extra nine inches to my reach while fighting, which required me to adapt. Consequently, I trained rigorously, honing my technique, and learned to follow through with my attacks. Regrettably, I inflicted wounds on my own thighs in the process, resulting in scars that remain even today.

It seems almost impossible to complete more than 90% of your daily activities if you have full metal claws on your hands, from preparing a sandwich to going to the bathroom. (I can’t help but wonder if Wolverine’s discomfort during personal hygiene moments is humorously portrayed in magazines like Mad or Cracked.) However, it wasn’t just his thighs that suffered from the blades, as Jackman detailed an accident where he accidentally stabbed the stuntwoman wearing Mystique’s makeup. In his own words:

In that specific moment, she was attempting to grab something, and I moved to jab her arm instead. Unaware of the danger, she didn’t withdraw her arm, resulting in me accidentally wounding her. The injury was roughly an inch deep, a depth I’ve never forgotten. I turned as pale as a sheet.

While Wolverine might appear unfazed by his swift and deadly attacks on foes, it’s a completely different story for Hugh Jackman. He certainly doesn’t enjoy having to inflict harm during filming, especially since getting hurt or causing injuries can lead to complications like dealing with insurance matters, which undoubtedly adds to the discomfort of everyone involved.

To Jackman’s astonishment, however, the stuntwoman didn’t recoil in pain or instantly summon on-set medical help. Surprisingly, she recognized the worth of enduring that particular injury right away. The performer from The Greatest Showman further added:

For the very first time in my existence, I’ve just plunged a knife into someone. And then, with blood spurting out, making a bubbling sound like ‘bloop-bloop-bloop’, she exclaimed, “I’ve been stabbed by Wolverine!” Since she’s a professional stunt performer, and evidently stronger than me, it seemed to be a source of pride for her. The blue and red liquid flowing down her arm was simply a part of her profession.

It’s fortunate that the incident didn’t lead to any further problems, and it appears the stuntwoman can now use her experience as an excellent conversation starter. “Ah, scar? Please, have a seat, and I’d be happy to share its story with you.

Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, initially crossed paths with Hugh Jackman on the set of the 2009 film “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” In that production, it’s safe to assume the metal claws of the Canadian mutant were less harmful than they appeared. Fortunately, a much deadlier substance was employed in Deadpool’s 2018 sequel to eliminate the original version of the character known as the Merc with the Mouth. I would venture to say that this portrayal of the character was more of a letdown than the actual stabbing of an X-Men stuntwoman.

With a Disney+ subscription, fans can enjoy Hugh Jackman as Wolverine repeatedly. However, we’re yet to learn when the streaming platform plans to include the film featuring Deadpool and Wolverine in its collection of mutant-centric content.

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2024-09-16 01:07