When he’s not being Wolverine – which is kind of what he does most of the time – Hugh Jackman is transforming his body and soul for art. Well, maybe not soul and maybe not art, but he has shaved his head for his role as Blackbeard in Joe Wright’s Pan. We have yet to learn why lack of hair is important to Jackman’s character though – perhaps he’s trying to emphasize that villainous beard?
Jackman recently posted a picture of himself sans hair via Instagram, simultaneously showcasing the hirsute adornment that is so important to his part as the villainous pirate captain. Blackbeard is reportedly the major baddie in Joe Wright’s reimagining of the Peter Pan story, with future nasty person Hook (Garrett Hedlund) taking something of a backseat. Given that Jackman has spent most of his career playing good guys, it will be fun to see him exercising his villainous muscles.
In addition to Jackman and Hedlund, Pan has quite a cast that includes Amanda Seyfried, Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily, and newcomer Levi Miller as the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Like most new films about classic characters, Pan purports to be an origin story about orphaned Peter who is spirited away to Neverland and meets heroes and villains, friends and foes alike, on his way to becoming the hero known as Peter Pan.
Personally, I think Hugh Jackman looks appropriately villainous in his current incarnation, which you can check out below. While I’m usually suspicious of origin stories, I am somewhat intrigued by the prospect of a new story surrounding a character that most of us are already well-acquainted with. With Blackbeard as his nemesis, young Peter will have plenty of new dangers to face.
Pan will fly into theaters July 17, 2015. Until then, you can marvel at Hugh Jackman’s baldness.
