Hugh Jackman On Playing James Bond: “I’d Seriously Consider It”

Hugh Jackman may be hanging up his Wolverine claws but he’s keeping his options open when it comes to other iconic roles. In a recent televised interview, the 46-year-old Australian born actor revealed he would “seriously consider” taking on the role of James Bond.

Hugh Jackman at the premiere of Dukale's Dream in New York, June 2015.

Jackman appeared on Australian talk show, The Program, and discussed his connection with the role of Bond. Apparently, Jackman was considered for the role of Bond a number of years ago and was in talks with 007 producers. However, he’d just started working on X-Men 2 (back in 2002) so he wasn’t terribly interested in swapping his X-Men suit for a designer one.

"At the time, I was just about to do X-Men 2, and I was like, 'Ah, I don’t think it's the right time,'” Jackman revealed in the interview (via THR).

Now, with his final few performances as Wolverine already scheduled, Jackman would not be so hasty in turning down the role.

"I'd seriously consider it," Jackman said of playing Bond.

James Bond has been making headlines of late as the suitability of British actor Idris Elba playing the role has been discussed. Daniel Craig will be stepping down from the role after Spectre so the hunt is on to find the next Bond. Anthony Horowitz, who has penned a new Bond novel Trigger Mortis, claimed Elba was “too street” to play Bond. Horowitz apologised for his remarks but not before Elba had issued his own response on social media.

‘It takes no energy and never hurts! Learned that from the Street!! #Septemberstillloveyou,’ Elba captioned a print screen of an article featuring Horowitz’s remarks.