(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Hugh Jackman says he has a "Wolverine-y" temperament.
The Australian actor is best known for his role as the mutant hero in the X-Men series. The fictional character possesses animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities and has retracting claws on each hand.
Hugh appears in upcoming boxing movie Real Steel, where he plays a struggling promoter and ex-fighter in a boxing world taken over by robots.
The 42-year-old hunk has revealed how he would fare if he had been in the ring sparring.
"I'm very clear, I'm an actor, I can make it look like I can do it, but I would be crying like a baby. I'll be honest, I'm a little bit Wolverine-y. I haven't got a temper but if you hit me in the face anywhere I can go into a blind rage. Just a warning!" he laughed in an interview with Cover Media.
Hugh worked alongside boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard to prepare for the role. Despite being retired from boxing, Hugh says the former fighter can still pack an impressive punch.
"Sugar Ray. He's so great. So generous and lovely. There was this moment when he was showing us some stuff, and the behind-the-scenes camera all of a sudden thought, This is a great moment,' so it came around. Out of the corner of his eye, I could see he saw it and, Bam' he just started whaling me!
"I headbutted him, and that's why he's not here," he teased.
Hugh is renowned for his impressive physique, and regularly shows off his athletic ability in films. The actor says Real Steel was a pleasant surprise when it came to preparing his physique.
"It was kind of nice to not do all the action, I must admit. I actually rang Shawn [Levy director] up and said, Shawn, I'm playing an ex-boxer, I think we should go for it.' I've met Mike Tyson and he still looks formidable but he looks a little soft, don't tell him this please, and Shawn was like, Yeah let's do it, really realistic, a bit paunch, a beard.' So I turned up a month before shooting, 20lbs. overweight and Shawn said, That realism thing, let's just pull that way back,'" he laughed, before Shawn added: "I felt that audiences might not be ready for a paunchy Hugh Jackman in a boxer movie."
Real Steel will be released in theatres on October 14. (C) Cover Media