Hugh Jackman Reveals the Two Films That Altered His Life and Career

Hugh Jackman is a man of many talents, as comfortable singing show tunes in a tuxedo as he is wielding adamantium claws. While he is most famous for playing Wolverine, his long career includes hits like Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, and The Prestige.

This versatility is no accident, as the actor has often looked to cinema history for inspiration on what it means to truly inhabit a role. In a recent conversation with Rotten Tomatoes, Jackman looked back at the movies that shaped his perspective on storytelling.

He highlighted two specific films as major “game changers” that altered how he viewed the world. The first was the 1978 Vietnam War drama The Deer Hunter, which stars legends like Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep.

Jackman explained that he first saw the film when he was just fifteen years old, and it left him stunned. He remarked that the experience blew [his] mind regarding the possibilities of the acting profession. Seeing the emotional depth and the trauma depicted in the story made him realize that acting could be much more than just entertainment.

The second film he credited with changing his life was the 1981 classic Raiders of the Lost Ark. Jackman was around eleven or twelve when he first saw Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, and the sense of adventure was overwhelming. He recalled telling his brother that he didn’t know movies could make [him] feel like this, as the film completely transported him into its world.

What captivated him about the first Indiana Jones adventure was the perfect balance of humor and excitement. He described it as a movie that kept him on the edge of [his] seat while still being fun and funny. For a young Jackman, it wasn’t just a movie; it was a believable experience that made him feel something brand new.

As of February, Hugh Jackman is keeping that same energy alive with a very busy professional schedule. He recently starred in the biographical musical drama Song Sung Blue, which hit theaters in January. In the film, he looks almost unrecognizable with long hair as he plays Mike Sardina, one half of a Neil Diamond tribute duo alongside Kate Hudson.

Fans of his more gritty work also have a lot to look forward to this summer. On June 19, Jackman will star in A24’s The Death of Robin Hood, a dark and realistic reimagining of the legendary outlaw. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the movie features Jackman as a battle-hardened, older Robin Hood who is seeking salvation after a lifetime of violence.

Additionally, the actor is set to voice a character in the upcoming comedy The Sheep Detectives, which is scheduled for release on February 26. This quirky film features an ensemble cast including Emma Thompson and Nicholas Braun, focusing on a flock of sheep that tries to solve their shepherd’s murder. On top of his film roles, Jackman is currently performing his one-man show, From New York, With Love, at Radio City Music Hall.

If you could pick one movie that completely changed the way you look at cinema the same way The Deer Hunter did for Hugh Jackman, which one would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments.