What If? The Incredible List of Actors Who Almost Played Wolverine Before Hugh Jackman

For nearly a quarter-century, the very name "Wolverine" was practically synonymous with Hugh Jackman. He didn’t just play Logan; he became him, evolving the character from his raw introduction in Charles Xavier's school right through to his poignant, unforgettable death in "Logan." And let's be honest, seeing him back for "Deadpool & Wolverine" has been nothing short of electrifying, shattering box office records and reminding us just how irreplaceable he feels. Marvel Studios, in all their re-casting glory for other X-Men, hasn't even dared to float the idea of replacing him, which, if you think about it, speaks volumes about the impact he's made.

But here’s a little secret, a fun bit of cinematic "what if": before Bryan Singer even started yelling "Action!" on the set of 2000's "X-Men," a handful of very different actors were seriously eyed for those iconic claws. Some got incredibly close, and one even officially landed the part before a twist of fate – and a certain Mission: Impossible star – changed everything. Let's dive into the fascinating, almost-Wolverine multiverse.

The Visionary's Choice: Bob Hoskins

Imagine, if you will, the early 1990s. Chris Claremont, a legendary figure in the X-Men comics universe, was busy pitching an X-Men feature film to James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment, with the brilliant Kathryn Bigelow attached to direct. And who did Claremont envision tearing up the screen as Wolverine? None other than the late, great British actor, Bob Hoskins.

Now, if you’ve ever seen Hoskins’ incredible turn as the ruthless Cockney gangster in "The Long Good Friday," you’ll immediately grasp Claremont’s genius. He saw that raw, untamed, almost feral energy Logan absolutely demanded. Plus, and this is a deep cut for comic purists, Hoskins had the perfect height and demeanor for a truly comic-accurate Wolverine, who, in the pages, stood at a rather compact 5-foot-3. Sadly, this dream project never materialized, largely because Stan Lee, ever the showman, managed to distract Cameron with a little pitch for a Spider-Man movie. Oh, what could have been!

The Rock Star Who Said No: Glenn Danzig

Fast forward a few years to 1995, and the folks at 20th Century Fox were apparently looking for a very different kind of intensity. Their serious pursuit for Wolverine? Glenn Danzig, the enigmatic frontman of bands like the Misfits and Samhain. Seriously! At the time, his track "Mother '93" was lighting up the Billboard Hot 100, so he was a recognizable, edgy figure.

Executives reportedly believed Danzig perfectly embodied Wolverine’s comic book proportions – 5-foot-4, a permanent scowl, and those signature mutton chops. He was even Wizard Magazine's official fan-cast pick that year! But alas, talks never really got past the preliminary stage. Danzig, true to his rock star roots, simply wasn't interested in sidelining his music career for what was then an unproven comic book movie, especially with a nine-month tour looming. He's since expressed zero regret and, interestingly, has been quite vocal about his criticisms of the direction Bryan Singer and Hugh Jackman ultimately took the character. Talk about staying true to yourself!

The A-Lister Who Was Too Expensive: Mel Gibson

By the late 1990s, as "X-Men" finally crept closer to production, studios were still searching for a big name to anchor their ambitious superhero ensemble. Enter Mel Gibson. Fresh off the triumphs of "Braveheart" and the wildly popular "Lethal Weapon" franchise, Gibson was a bona fide A-list superstar. Fox executives, naturally, saw him as the perfect, bankable star to lend gravitas to their risky venture. There’s even cool concept art out there by Miles Teves, showing what Gibson might have looked like as Logan.

However, and this is a tale as old as Hollywood itself, Gibson’s star power came with a hefty price tag. His salary demands were simply too steep for the film's budget at the time. The studio, in its quest for a rugged, intense leading man, also briefly considered Russell Crowe before ultimately deciding to go with a more cost-effective, lesser-known actor. And that, dear reader, is how Hugh Jackman first entered the picture… almost.

The Wolverine Who Was, Then Wasn't: Dougray Scott

So, after all this back and forth, after years of casting headaches, a Scottish actor named Dougray Scott finally won the coveted role. He signed a multi-picture contract, received his shooting schedule – it was all happening! He was Wolverine. But, as fate would have it, Scott was also deeply committed to playing the main antagonist in "Mission: Impossible 2."

Here’s where things get really dramatic. Director John Woo's "Mission: Impossible 2" production in Australia started running significantly behind schedule. And Tom Cruise, ever the perfectionist and known for his unwavering commitment to his projects, simply refused to release Scott to join the "X-Men" set, which was already up and running in Toronto. To add insult to injury, Scott also sustained a shoulder injury during a motorcycle stunt for M:I 2. The clock was ticking, "X-Men" sets were built, cameras were ready to roll, and their Wolverine was stuck halfway across the world.

In a desperate scramble, Fox had no choice but to terminate Scott’s contract. This sudden, unexpected vacancy opened the door for Hugh Jackman, who, despite having lost the role previously, got a second, fateful look. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner, bless her heart, championed Jackman, even amidst concerns about his height. He joined production a mere three weeks into filming, effectively saving the day. Dougray Scott, to his credit, has always expressed zero resentment towards Jackman, and "Mission: Impossible 2" actually went on to become the highest-grossing film of 2000 worldwide. A bittersweet twist, wouldn't you say?

It just goes to show you, Hollywood is full of these fascinating "what if" scenarios. While we can all agree that Hugh Jackman became the definitive Wolverine, it’s truly wild to think how close we were to seeing Bob Hoskins, Glenn Danzig, Mel Gibson, or even Dougray Scott take on the role. Each of them would have brought something uniquely different, but sometimes, the stars just align in the most unexpected ways, leading us to the perfect actor for an iconic part.