8 Controversial Comic Book Movie Castings That Worked Out For The Best

3) Hugh Jackman

Is there any other superhero who is as synonymous with one actor as Wolverine? The lean, mean slicing machine simply is Hugh Jackman, just as – though he is a very versatile actor – Hugh Jackman will always be Wolverine. However, rewind sixteen years to before X-Men came out and Jackman’s casting as the most popular X-Man was hugely controversial.

For one, Wolverine is typically depicted as short and stocky in the comics – as deadly as he is compact. On the other hand, the then unknown actor, only familiar in his native Australia for his roles in musicals, was over six feet.

The production team weren’t blind to Jackman’s seeming incompatibility with the role, though, as Scottish actor Dougray Scott was initially cast in the role before fate intervened and Scott departed the movie – leaving Jackman to fill his shoes.

Thankfully, they knew what they saw in the actor, stuck to their guns and a cinema icon was made.