Interview: Hugh Jackman

He’s played a drover, a penguin, an action hero and the boy from Oz.

New Idea talks to Hugh Jackman about what it was like to play a promoter and coach in futuristic boxing film Real Steel.

Hugh Jackman at the premiere of Real Steel in 2011. Source: Getty

Were you consciously looking for a movie like this—that is really for everyone?

No, I wasn’t. It came to me as a film script and I read it and really loved it. However, when Shawn Levy came on board, that just strengthened it even more. I knew it was a big movie, but it wasn’t relying on me for action. It was almost the opposite. I get beaten up in one scene, but apart from that, there’s no people-action for me.

You’ve had some background in boxing, but what was it like getting in the ring with Sugar Ray Leonard?

It was interesting. The first day we were working together, they had a film crew filming behind-the-scenes footage. He’s champion of the world, so he was just sparring with me pretending to punch my stomach…which kind of hurt!

What was your first step to create your character, Charlie Kenton?

The first step was really getting in touch with the idea of someone who thinks he’s a failure, with a low opinion of himself. And what makes someone act in that way; what makes someone deliberately try to be almost unlikable. He doesn’t want someone to get close. That was the emotional side of him that I really worked on first.

There was his physical side too. I told Shawn that we should get some photos of me in boxing shorts so we can have that. Then I went and put on twenty pounds because I wanted Charlie to look like he wasn’t a boxer anymore. When I went for my first fitting, Shawn said, I think you went a little too far! You had a little too much fun! So I had to pull it back a little bit.

Do you think you have to play it safe in life?

No, in my work I try not to be safe. I just did a one-man show and that was a little frightening because it’s just me out there singing and dancing and it’s my show. But it’s a good feeling. The most scared I’d ever been was the first time I sang at a rugby match, Australia versus New Zealand, in front of one hundred thousand people.

I had a panic attack the night before because people have been booed off and never worked again…just singing one song, the national anthem. So I've never been more scared than that, even the Oscars, not as scared as that moment. Because I believe actually the more you do something, the less frightening it becomes because you start to realize the outcome is not as important as you think. I was probably more scared of my high school exams than I was of the Oscars. At the time you think it’s everything and if you don’t do well, your life’s over. Opportunities are gone. So the more you do it, the less the fear is present.

Is this movie a new take on what we think of as a sports movie?

Absolutely. It’s a sports movie, but it’s a drama too. It’s a lot about the characters.

What's more important for you in your personal life, winning or getting respect?

I’m quite a competitive person, so I do quite like to win. But for me the important thing is to ‘have a go.’ To ‘have a go’ or ‘let’s have a go’ is a common expression in Australia. It’s part of our belief that Australia is a nation where the only real regrets that you have are the things that you didn’t do, and even if you fail at something, at the end of the day you don’t usually regret it.

So just have a go. What I respect as far as in myself and in others is the spirit of just doing it. For better or worse, it may work and it may not, but I’m going to go for it. Ultimately I probably prefer to be respected for that than whether it works out or not, either winning or losing.

Hugh Jackman with Real Steel co-star Dakota Goyo at the film's premiere. Source: Getty

When you have simulated crowds and simulated marketing in future boxing, did this movie change how you think about sports?

No. I’m a mad lover of sport. You cannot say a bad word to me about sports. So I know business is involved and I know it can be cynical, and, of course, I watch it, but for me it’s pure.

When I was in Canada once shooting, curling was on every channel. I started to get into curling. It’s a great leveler. You can be any age, shape, whatever, and still be a great curler. I love that in a sport. Then in London, I was into the darts championships, so I guess I’m just drawn to sport.

What about boxing? It’s got athleticism and human endeavor, and also people bleeding. Are you a fan?

Yes, I’m a boxing fan. I train at this place in New York, which was part of preparing for the role because I did want to look like I could throw a punch. The trainer told me he was going to train me like I was going to have a title fight. I loved that.

My father was an army champion boxer… in the British army. And so he loved boxing and talked it up as a sport. But then when my brother and I were beating the crap out of each other, he was always trying to tone it down. But I am a fan of boxing.

Do your kids think that you’re cool?

Oh, no. I just did a tour. I was doing this one-man show and I was in Toronto. And on Sunday both the kids came, and there’s one song I sang for my wife, and I pulled her up and my son’s face said it all. I like to dance, but, you know, I’m Wolverine and that’s not cool. And later I was dancing and being a bit of a goof ball, so he turned to his mom and said, “My dad is so embarrassing.” Most of the things I do are embarrassing to him!

Real Steel is available on DVD Wednesday March 28