Hugh Jackman truly believed he missed a great opportunity to star alongside Ryan Reynolds but he was done with the role at the time.

Before Hugh Jackman made his career-best decision to return to Deadpool & Wolverine, he was sure that he was done with Wolverine. After Logan, Jackman shared in several interviews that he continued to reject Ryan Reynolds’ offer to join Deadpool 3. During one interview, The Prestige actor shared a Michael Jackson metaphor to explain his situation at the time.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in Deadpool & Wolverine | Credits: Marvel Studios

Jackman had to eat his own words after Reynolds eventually convinced him to reprise his role. Interestingly, Jackman knew even at the time that he may have missed out on one of the best opportunities to star in a Deadpool and Wolverine movie.

Hugh Jackman Used A Michael Jackson Metaphor To Explain How He Felt About Reprising Wolverine in 2018

Hugh Jackman in a still from Logan | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Hugh Jackman gave his best performance in Logan as he believed that it was his final appearance as Wolverine. After his tear-jerking ending in the film, Jackman went on record to say that he was done with the role after 17 years of playing it. During a 2018 interview with Josh Horowitz, Jackman opened up about Ryan Reynolds‘ offer for him to reprise Wolverine.

Jackman knew that he had announced his retirement a little too soon as he felt Deadpool was a cool movie where he could’ve teamed up with Reynolds. He had the perfect humorous metaphor to explain the situation he was in. He shared that it was like being at a party where he leaves after dancing for a long time, only to realize that they put on Michael Jackson after he had left.

The Greatest Showman actor further added to the metaphor that a part of him would be like, “I like Michael Jackson”, but then he realized that he just wanted to go to bed. Jackman explained to Josh Horowitz:

When I saw Deadpool, I was like, wow that’s cool. It’s just a matter of time. It’s a bit like you’re at the greatest party you’ve ever been at, you’ve been dancing for an hour and a half, and then you’re just like ‘It’s time, ok. If I stay any longer, it’s gonna get ugly.’ It’s like, it’s time.

And on the way home, someone calls you and goes, ‘They just put Michael Jackson on! You gotta get back here!’ And a little part of you goes, ‘I like Michael Jackson,’ but then you just go, ‘I want to go to bed.‘

When the host asked him whether his decision was to stay in bed, Jackman gave an affirmative answer. However, he also added that he was cheering for Reynolds in his role as the Merc with a Mouth. While the metaphor was clear in conveying Jackman’s Wolverine status at the time, things took a turn in 2022.

Reynolds finally got to the Les Misérables actor with a little help from Marvel. Jackman’s return to the role paid off massively after Deadpool & Wolverine became the highest-grossing R-rated film ever (via Variety).

Hugh Jackman Even Sent A Message To Ryan Reynolds Via An Interview Saying He Was Done

Hugh Jackman in Deadpool & Wolverine | Credits: Marvel Studios

During the promotional interview for Deadpool & Wolverine with Jake’s Takes, the interviewer shared that the X-Men actor left a message for Reynolds during his last interview. In the old video, the interviewer asked him whether he would reprise the Wolverine role in Marvel’s Multiverse under any circumstance.

He shared that while he held the character close to his heart, he was done with the role. He also wanted the interviewer to convey the message to Reynolds who believed his position at the time to be a joke. He shared:

It’s still a character I hold close to my heart but I know it’s done. Tell that to whoever you want but please tell it to Ryan. ‘Cuz he doesn’t believe it. He thinks I’m joking.

Once he joined Deadpool & Wolverine, Jackman fully committed himself to the role. Reynolds shared in an interview with PEOPLE that Jackman showed relentless dedication to the aesthetic transformation and stunt choreography.

Deadpool & Wolverine is successfully running in theaters.