Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Funny, charismatic, classy, and a bit all over the place – elements that describe both Sandra Bullock as well as her definitive film,Miss Congeniality. And in a long time, it was she who was the coveted star power headlining the film making men shrink in her presence instead of it being the other way round.
Hugh Jackman, who was relatively new to the arena of Hollywood, found it a challenge to survive an audition, let alone cinch the part which would have catapulted him to a very different level of fame in the 2000s. Fortunately, Jackman went on to land another role the same year that made him a legend in his own right.
Also read:“I need to apologize to so many parents”: Sandra Bullock Regrets Making $212M Movie Despite Being Her Daughter’s Favorite Film
Hugh Jackman Blundered an Audition With Sandra Bullock
The $212.7 million film which starred the actress in one of her most remembered roles ever broke down many barriers that limited actresses to that box of beauty, feminine grace, poised performances, and at the riskiest: the role of the femme fatale. For a change, theSandra Bullockfilm invented another field in which women could operate apart from the aforementioned. Armed with wit, intelligence, and none of the grace,Miss Congenialitytook over the industry, becoming relevant to generations decades down the line.
Also read:“It just felt right to do that”: Sandra Bullock Doesn’t Regret Making $212M Movie Despite Claiming It Ruins Young Girls
And the iconic film was witness to the then-aspiring actor,Hugh Jackmanwho would be recognized as Wolverine not too long after the premiere ofMiss Congeniality. At the time, however, this self-described “nobody” counted himself lucky to even be sharing the same space as Bullock and thought,“Holy s–t! She’s amazing! And so quick and fast. I’m not even vaguely up to speed here.”In an interview withVariety, he later revealed,“I was pedaling as fast as I could, but I didn’t know the script well enough.”
Fortunately, Bryan Singer’sX-Menwas waiting just around the corner with the part of Wolverine destined to be molded and made iconic by the Australian actor.
Hugh Jackman Recalls Meeting Sandra Bullock in the 90s
When the casting forMiss Congenialitywas underway in the late 90s, fresh faces populated the casting room. Sandra Bullock was already the lead in the film. What remained was the matter of finding the perfect male lead who would complement her screen presence and be an intriguing love interest.“I was impressed that she was in there. I didn’t expect her to be in there. I’m guessing eight people she tested with,”Jackman later said.
Also read:“It shows what women really go through”: Sandra Bullock Didn’t Enjoy Her Golden Globe Nominated Role in $212M Thriller That Spun a Failed Sequel
The part that Hugh Jackman auditioned for then went to Benjamin Bratt who ironically recalled how he“wanted to be anything but an actor.”On the other hand, Foxverse helmed by Bryan Singer not only launched Hugh Jackman as the clawed mutant but also went on to spin out a $6 billion franchise that ended the actor’s run as Logan after 17 years in the eponymous movie. Jackman will reprise his role for one last time alongsideRyan Reynoldsin the upcoming film,Deadpool 3.
Source:Variety
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2410
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
