The name's Jackman, Hugh Jackman. But it could have been Bond, James Bond.
When the producers of the James Bond franchise were looking for a new 007, they ended up with the polar opposite of their most recent secret agent. Out was charming Pierce Brosnan, who could kill with a smile, and in came brooding Daniel Craig, who could kill with his bare hands. It's worked out quite well, but they apparently were looking at an actor who could bring both to the table.
"I got a call from my agent saying, 'There is some possible interest in you for Bond, are you interested?'" Hugh Jackman told the Press Association during a recent stop of a promotional tour (via Total Film). "At the time I wasn't. I was about to shoot 'X-Men 2' and Wolverine had become this thing in my life and I didn't want to be doing two such iconic characters at once."
It's hard to fault him for the decision, financially; "X2" took in $407 million worldwide, while sequel "X-Men: The Last Stand" and spinoff "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" brought in $459 million and $373 million globally, respectively. Still, Bond is an all-time icon, and "Casino Royale," Daniel Craig's first Bond film, took in $579 million and "Quantum of Solace," the followup, made $586 million.
Craig will star in a third Bond film, the Sam Mendes-directed flick currently under the working title, "Bond 23." Javier Bardem and potentially Ralph Fiennes will play villain roles in that next picture. Jackman can currently be seen in "Real Steel," and will next shoot the film adaptation of "Les Miserables," with Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe.