During recent publicity talks promoting his latest film, Australian actor Hugh Jackman let audiences know about his past support for the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (or as it used to be known 'the National Parks & Wildlife Foundation').
Hollywood hunk Hugh Jackman really is the nicest guy in showbiz.
"Just ask my publicist," he laughs. Dubbed the sexiest man alive in 2008, the Emmy winner's celebrity cred has soared since he and his sideburns captured our hearts as Wolverine.
Combine his screen success with his charity commitments - almost as excessive as the metal claws he sported in the X-Men series - and it looks as though he's one nice guy who won't finish last: Jackman's the man. "I'm about to launch my own (charity), with my partners. It's called Laughing Man Coffee and Tea." Jackman reveals.
"We created this coffee that we're launching in October. All the profits are going to go to education charities. I'm really proud of it."
So just what possessed an A-lister to bust a move in a Bollywood-themed theatricalexplosion for a Lipton iced tea commercial? "I thought the concept was fun, it was a positive message and. . . I like the drink," he says.
His answer might be clear-cut but his wavering husky voice spills the beans - Jackman's smirking. It's almost as if he himself wonders what else he can tick off from the superstar checklist. Made it big on Broadway? Tick. International sex symbol? Tick. Guest appearance in a WWE Raw Supershow? Tick. Refreshing beverage commercial? Tick. Hosted the Tony Awards? The Oscars? Tick, tick, tick. What next? A robot boxing film? Yep. Duh.
"I had concerns at first," Jackman says recalling his first glance at the Real Steel script. "A storyline that appeals to all isn't an easy thing to pull off; it's not done very often. I knew the visual effects would be cool but it wasn't until I read the script that I realised there was so much more to the movie. To call it a robot movie . . . that's a bit tough.'
Packs a punch
Champions aren't born, they're made. Or so says the film's catch phrase. You can almost hear the epic, Gladiatoresque soundtrack. But Jackman isn't wrong when he says this flick isn't a cliche; the plot thickens.
"What I loved first and foremost about the script is the father-son relationship," Jackman says. "What's really important to me is my wife and kids. I've never played a father onscreen before and it's nice. I certainly hope I'm a better father off screen than I am in this particular role."
But Jackman says he's not the coolest dad going round. "I was doing this one-man show and 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," he recalls. "I like to dance, but, you know, I'm Wolverine and that's not cool. I was dancing and being a bit of a goofball, so (my son) turned to his mum and said, 'My dad is so embarrassing'."
Jackman plays estranged dad Charlie Kenton who unwillingly teams up with son Max (Dakota Goyo) who happens to know more about the new-age. ruthless sport than his old-school fighter father. He has a real "affection and joy" for Goyo. "We got on unbelievably well. It's his first big film," Jackson says.
"I kept thinking to myself, I have an 11-year old and I get annoyed at my kids quite regularly, as I'm sure they're annoyed by me. But this kid. . . for three months, not once was I annoyed. It was pretty amazing."
Jackman says Real Steel is fuelled by a second-chance concept, which is something he says he can relate to. "I certainly was not picked as the most likely to succeed," Jackman laughs. "I did clowning. I was Ranger Hugh at the National Parks and Wildlife Foundation. I've worked in gas stations. I pinch myself all the time that I'm in these big movies hearing people clapping and cheering."
Fitting then, that he describes the film as a true underdog tale."It's all about the final shot and how the hidden heroes cope under the pressure," he says. "I know people will get really involved and caught up with this father-and-son story that has the added action-factor. It's something we have to face all the time in our life."
