Hugh Jackman and Sandra Bullock are among the A-listers of the entertainment industry. Both actors have given numerous individual box office hits in their vast career spans. However, the two stars never got a chance to work together. There was once a time when The Wolverine star auditioned for a role in Sandra Bullock’s film, but he could not get the part. A little later than Bullock, Jackman found his way to stardom with his X-men movies.
Years later, Hugh Jackman opened up about auditioning for a role in Sandra Bullock’s movie, and the interesting part is that he never wanted to do that film anyways.
Hugh Jackman opens up on his audition for Sandra Bullock’s Miss Congeniality
In an interview with Variety, Hugh Jackman shared that he had the chance to work with Bullock in the 2000 comedy. He could have played her love interest, FBI agent Eric Matthews in the film Miss Congeniality. By the time he was offered the role, the production of the first X-Men film was already done.
Jackman confided he did not want to star in the film, but his agent still made him go for the audition. The actor said that if he was selected for the role, his agent could negotiate against another film he was offered, 2001’s romantic comedy Someone Like You.
The Greatest Showman actor said, “No one knew X-Men yet. I was a nobody”.
Though Jackman did not want to do the movie, he was stunned when he was rejected at the audition. He shared that his agent thought it was an easy character and that Jackman would crack it. But alas, he was rejected, which was very humiliating for him.
“That’s humiliating, when your agent says, ‘I don’t want you to get this job, but just go get it.’ And then you don’t get it.”
Eric Matthews’ role was given to Disney star Benjamin Bratt. The film was quite successful with a global box office collection of $212 million.
Hugh Jackman was impressed by Sandra Bullock’s performance
In the interview, the Real Steel star shared that he was massively impressed by the work of Sandra Bullock and felt inadequate in front of her. Recalling his audition for the film, he shared that he was amazed to see her performance for the audition. He regretted not preparing for the role.
Hugh Jackman said,
“‘Holy sh*t! She’s amazing! And so quick and fast. I’m not even vaguely up to speed here.’ I was pedalling as fast as I could, but I didn’t know the script well enough.”
“It was the first time I’d tested [with another actor]. I was impressed that she was in there. I didn’t expect her to be in there. I’m guessing eight people she tested with.”
Miss Congeniality was released in 2000, and around the time, Bullock was already a Hollywood star with box office hits like Demolition Man, Speed, While You Were Sleeping, A Time to Kill, Hope Floats, and more. The recent Netflix film The Lost City was also a massive hit among viewers.
Hugh Jackman will next star in Deadpool 3 starring, Ryan Reynolds.
Source- Far Out Magazine
