Viggo Mortensen might have become Wolverine. The actor, best known for his work in The Lord of the Rings, met with director Bryan Singer—the filmmaker behind the first two X-Men films—but ultimately declined the offer, and Hugh Jackman would go on to embody the iconic mutant for the franchise.
In a conversation with Yahoo Movies, Mortensen, a Danish-American raised in Argentina, shared that he was asked to play Wolverine in the 2000 film X-Men. He recalled that the opportunity seemed to promise a longer arc, yet timing played a decisive role. He chose to pursue another project at that moment, stepping away from the part that would shape a major part of comic book cinema for years to come.
Coinciding with a shoot alongside Sandra Bullock
Mortensen explained that scheduling conflicts kept him from accepting the role. He indicated that a different project took precedence, making it impossible to take on Wolverine. While the precise project wasn’t disclosed, the actor did note that he was involved in a romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock around that period. The project was titled 28 Days, a film that left a mark on both careers at the time.
The actor also recalled the moment he first met Bryan Singer, who would direct the movie. He attended the meeting with his son, who loved comic books deeply. Mortensen remembered the experience vividly: the director showed models and storyboards, and the young Mortensen offered thoughts about how the adaptation might unfold. It was a notable glimpse into the creative process behind the early X-Men vision.
Among the other candidates discussed for Wolverine were Russell Crowe and others, but the role ultimately went to Hugh Jackman, whose portrayal helped redefine the character for a new generation.
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Jackman’s path to the part proved fortunate. He later expressed that playing Wolverine felt right and that he hoped to continue in the role for the long term, embracing the character across multiple films and eras. The decision shaped a legacy that resonates with fans across generations.