Although Hugh Jackman has now become synonymous with Marvel’s Wolverine, after spending the majority of his career playing the clawed mutant, there’s no denying that the actor has proved his acting chops in other iconic projects. From Les Misérables to The Fountain, Jackman has appeared in a few critically acclaimed projects that have changed his career trajectory forever.
Speaking with Vanity Fair, Hugh Jackman thus reflected on how his 2006 collaboration with Rachel Weisz and filmmaker Darren Aronofsky in The Fountain changed his career. Addressing the complexities of the film, Jackman admitted that the movie wasn’t made for all. Yet, the actor appreciated people’s enthusiasm for the film, who sat through it and understood the deeper meaning.
Hugh Jackman Recalled the Surprising Impact of The Fountain on His Celebrated Career
Hugh Jackman may be best known for his iconic role as Wolverine, but the multifaceted actor has taken on a variety of challenges throughout his career. One of the standout projects that reshaped his trajectory was his 2006 film The Fountain, starring Rachel Weisz, directed by the visionary Darren Aronofsky. During a conversation with Vanity Fair, Jackman thus shared his thoughts on the film’s complexities and its profound influence on his career.
Addressing how Darren Aronofsky’s ambitious project dealt with themes of love, mortality, and the quest for eternal life, Hugh Jackman acknowledged that The Fountain wasn’t designed as a typical crowd-pleaser. Further, reflecting on how he played three distinct characters, alongside Rachel Weisz‘s three respective characters, each of them navigating their own existential journey, Jackman highlighted how the film came as a turning point in his career.
It was a real turning point for me as an actor. I think maybe from the theater, the idea of working with a director on something is important to me. And you don’t always get that in film. Sometimes it’s very removed, actually. And we spent all that time before, not only getting to know each other, it felt like we were going into battle together.
And I have had, and still have, an immense trust and honesty with Darren about everything, to the point where Darren would often be right next to the camera while we were shooting. It made me realize how much I want and rely on strength, vision, collaborators, people to help guide me that I can trust. And the experience confirmed to me that was the way I should go.
During his interview alongside Darren Aronofsky, the actor credited his role in The Fountain with helping him shed the limitations of his previous work. Discussing how the film allowed him to showcase his range and depth as an actor, Jackman expressed his gratitude towards the filmmaker for the opportunity. Perhaps, the experience taught him to take risks, something that came in handy in Les Misérables (2012) and the surreal journey in Prisoners (2013).
Hugh Jackman Acknowledged a Handful of People’s Enthusiasm for Rachel Weisz’s Movie
Meanwhile, after Hugh Jackman mentioned how the film changed his career trajectory and influenced his performance there onwards, the actor also acknowledged that The Fountain wasn’t designed for mass appeal. Addressing how Darren Aronofsky’s film wasn’t meant to dominate the box office but leave an indelible mark on those who saw it, Jackman fondly recalled the fervent discussions and excitement among viewers who watched it.
After the filmmaker Darren Aronofsky admitted that he was stopped and thanked by a cancer patient who watched The Fountain, while his parents struggled to dissect the deeper meaning behind it, even Hugh Jackman noted that a handful of people truly resonated with the film’s themes. Therefore, the actor appreciated the passion of viewers who took the time to peel its layers and unveil the insight.
When my dad was going through one of his rounds of cancer, we were up at Sloan Kettering, and we were in the waiting room. And there was a guy about my age, probably a bit younger than me, who’s in a wheelchair, and he had two teenage girls and his wife was there. And he recognized me, and he said, “Are you Darren?” I said, “Yes.” He basically said that The Fountain helped him figure out his life and his death. He got all emotional. And it was interesting for my parents who never really quite got that one. Aronofsky noted.
When people stop me, it’s the most passionate response of any movie I’ve done. The ones who get it, have to tell me, and they have to tell me fully what it meant to them. Jackman added.
Eventually, Hugh Jackman’s collaboration with Rachel Weisz, set against the backdrop of Darren Aronofsky’s stunning visuals, created a mesmerizing narrative that sparked conversations among people who sat through the film, long after the credits rolled. The Fountain thus became proof of Jackman’s versatility and his true range as an actor, even though audiences primarily associated him with his Marvel character.
The Fountain is currently available to watch on Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
