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‘ This is the best script of the three – the mostemotional, definitely the biggest’ HUGH JACKMANGetting an eyeful:Cyclops (JamesMarsden) minus specsand glowy eyeballs.replace him, then bailed (officially because hedidn’t want to uproot his young family,unofficially because of the blockbuster’spressure-cooker atmosphere and script issues).Finally, Fox drafted in Rush Hour director BrettRatner, which hardly quelled the disquiet of thefranchise’s vociferous, net-savvy fanbase –fuelled when a leaked early version of the scriptwas harshly reviewed on the influential Ain’tIt Cool News website.The negative buzz was frankly unfair on Ratner,a devoted comic-book fan who had, ironically,worked for a full year on an earlier incarnation ofSuperman Returns and was once in line to directthe very first X-Men movie. But as everyblockbusting Hollywood director knows, if you’regoing to have a feel-good finale to your story,your heroes need to go through hell first. For theX-Men, this was it.FIGHTING BACKThwack! Crunch! Crash! Six monthslater, the front window of a house ina sleepy Vancouver suburb shatters asa muscular figure is launched through itand lands with a resounding thump onthe lawn. The sculpted hair and rippling physiqueidentify him as Wolverine, reluctant but heroicfigurehead of Professor Xavier’s band of peaceseekingsuperbeings. The creature administeringthe conclusive cuffing is less familiar, but no lessimpressive – a heavily armed, brick shithouse ofa beast going by the apt name of Juggernaut.Meanwhile, across town, a huge replica of theGolden Gate Bridge is being constructed only tobe shortly destroyed again, a winged teenager isbeing hoisted 80 feet in the air ready to plummetfrom the city skyline and Famke Janssen, whoseJean Grey died at the end of X2, is squeezing intoa classy new red get-up. All of which can meanonly one thing: the X-Men aren’t going downwithout a bloody big scrap.“I was sad to see Bryan go,” says Hugh Jackman,aka Wolverine, between takes. “But I understoodhow much Superman meant to him. I rememberwhen we were filming the Statue Of Liberty scenein the first film and he’s shouting up at me, ‘Do itlike the scene in Superman when he rescues Loisfrom the earthquake!’ And I’m shouting back,‘Mate, I haven’t seen that film since I was 12!’He looked at me like I was a total ignoramus.”Jackman, Ratner and many other members ofthe X-Men cast have remained close to Singer,with Jackman even rumoured to make a cameoappearance, via flashback, as the young version ofClark’s dad in Superman Returns. Their loyaltyonly extends so far, though.“I never really thought about pulling out ofX-Men,” explains Jackman. “It all hinges on thescript for me and I think this one is the best ofthe three – the most emotional, definitely thebiggest. Plus I can’t think of another characterthat has the challenges for an actor that Wolverinehas. I always liked Mad Max, Dirty Harry andHan Solo as a kid, and Wolverine has elements ofall of them. Could Wolverine kick Superman’sass? Definitely!”Jackman’s decision to stick around set thetrend, with almost all of the X-Men from theprevious two films signing up for the third – theonly notable exceptions being Alan Cumming60 TOTALFILM.COMTFM115.feat_xmen sec31024/4/06 5:26:55 pm