When it comes to all-around entertainer, Hugh Jackman
defines the term. The actor, dancer, singer and host easily waltzes his way from
the Broadway stage of “A Boy From Oz,” to the action adventures of “Wolverine”
to front and center at the Kodak Theater in front of 2 billion people as host of
the Academy Awards. After starring on the #1 action drama “REAL STEEL,” Jackman returns to the bright lights of live theater in “Back On Broadway” now at the Broadhurst Theater. Proving that not all Hombres are born Latin, I spoke with the Aussie megastar about his latest role.

HOMBRE: “Real Steel” looks like an exciting film, how did you
come into the project?

Hugh Jackman: I just got this script that came to me and I remember thinking ‘a robot
boxing movie…mmm, I’m not sure.’ And then I just really kinda fell in love with
it. I love the story, I love what it was saying. It just really hooked me in. I
love sports movies. “Rocky” is one of my favorites, “The Champ.” And this reminds
me of that. One of those movies that gets people cheering and it’s fun. I love
that.

H: It’s a good analogy to compare it to “Rocky” because of
the action and the emotional relationship of father and son, tell us about
that.

HJ: Yeah, the father son relationship speaks to me as a father. I watched it with
my wife, my mother-in-law and my son; they all like it … generally this film
appeals to everyone at some level.

H: Did you have to do a lot of boxing training for the part?

HJ: Not really, because my role is more kind of a corner man. I did have to
look like a boxer so I did some training but I have actually been training for three
to four years before the film to keep fit for “Wolverine” and to keep the mind
sharp so I was already doing it when this came up. But Sugar Ray Leonard took me
to another level.

H: Who are the boxers you admired as a kid?

HJ: When I grew up it was Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson was a world champ when I was
18-19 so like all boys I admired him. Also obviously Muhammad Ali, and Sugar
Ray Leonard. The movie “When we Were Kings” is one of my favorites.

H: How was the actual filming and playing off the robots?

HJ: It was fun. The directing was amazing. As an actor you’re used to working with
a stick and tennis ball and someone else would paint the robot afterwards but for
us it was different because we had real robots. Most of the time, except for
the fighting, we were actually acting with real robots. The moves were completely
alive. That was the suggestion of Steven Spielberg to Shawn Levy.

H: Was the robot your size or taller?

HJ: 9 foot tall. They were operated via remote control. They built these phenomenal
robots. Real working robots.

H: Tell us about the relationship you have with your son in
the film.

HJ: It’s really the spine of the film, if that didn’t work, the movie wouldn’t
work. Even though they are at odds during the first part of the film. They both
have the common desire for their robot to win. They see robot boxing as some
kind of a salvation. In a way you find yourself rooting for the robot and cheering.
I’ve been at screenings and people cheer and yell and they get so involved.

H: Do you see something like that ever happening in reality?

HJ: I don’t know. I don’t think, not in 8 years time.  But may be possible. Of course when you see
this movie, you think, wow this can really happen. It’s within realm of
possibilities. But I’m not one of those people who believe in doomsday and
robots taking over the world.

H: And how was it filming in Michigan?

HJ: It was great, we had a great camera crew, fantastic. We were there for the entire
summer, it really helped us with location. We really had a terrific time.

H: Have you been there before?

HJ: It was my first time in Detroit. I feel I know it now. You go somewhere for
four months  and you feel like you know
it.

H: It seems like the right location for a gritty film.

HJ: Totally. The aesthetic of the film ties in with using the industrial
wasteland and there are elements of Detroit that are like that, quite
futuristic. It’s a mix of things in that town but there is great spirit in
Detroit, I love the people there.

H: What was the best advice Sugar Ray Leonard gave
you?

HJ: He kept saying to me the link between corner man and the fighter is
everything. If you break that link, the fighter is dead. You have to make your
presence felt to the fighter. Even though they are robots, you are so involved
with them that I really took that to heart.

H: What’s the strongest message the film conveys?

HJ: I think the film is about believing in yourself. If you believe in
yourself, you will be alive. In our movie my character lost belief in himself and
the world around him and it’s the son that gives him that power of redemption because
he believes in him.

H: Are there plans for sequel?

HJ: I don’t want to jinx it. I love the character. It’s pretty much in the hands of
the film going public.

H: I think it’s one of the most exciting films of the year
and the father/son dynamic is very moving.

HJ: It’s a whole new dimension to the film. I really think it’s the spectacle of
a Hollywood movie with a heart.

H: What are the plans for the next “Wolverine” film?

HJ: My next film is “Les Miserables,” the musical. I’m doing that at the beginning
of the year and  “Wolverine” comes after
that.

H: You hosted the Oscars, any plans to do that in the future?

HJ: I would love to.  But you need to be
asked. It’s a really difficult job. I’m excited about Eddie Murphy doing it
this year – I am a huge fan. Growing up listening to his standup… I must have
seen “Raw” a hundred times. I think he will do an amazing job and he is
Hollywood royalty so it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited about it.

H: As a kid growing up, was being in entertainment something
you dreamt about?

HJ: I didn’t think it was possible… my dreams were about sports, I wish I
were better in sports

H: What advice do you give to someone who admires your career
and would like to follow your footsteps?

HJ: I think the most important thing is to love it. A lot of people get into
acting for the wrong reasons, money or fame, and I can tell you flat out that
really hardly anybody in acting who wants that actually gets it. From my
experience, people who generally like acting get into it for that. Go study,
learn how to act, enjoy it, and don’t worry whether you can be a big star or
not. That will come if it’s meant to.

 H: Who were some of your role models when you were growing
up?

HJ: My father is very much a rock in my life, my brother who I looked up to a
lot. I loved a lot of sports people. I am very much into the Olympics; swimmers, Australian
champions; love that ideal of working your whole life to go to Olympics. Also
Mandela is a role model.

H: What do you think about the state of boxing today?

HJ: I think boxing is set for a comeback. The UFC and Mixed Martial Arts have
taken a little bit of the focus. It’s fallen behind a little bit. Boxing needs
stars. As we show in the movie, it’s a show, it’s show business.  If you look at the NFL there are so many
stars.  And the NFL really tells the
story of sports.  Last year there was the
story of Michael Vick. We look at Tom Brady, we know he’s the comeback kid. We
know he was 199 pick in the Draft and now he’s a Hall of Famer. We get caught
up in the story so when we watch the game, we know it’s the story of a team, it’s
the story of a player. And it’s the same with boxing. It needs a story.  It needs Mayweather and Pacquia to
fight.  They have to fight.  We need to have those star moments. 

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Research and transcripts by Inna Braginsky.