For more than two decades, Hugh Jackman has been synonymous with one name — Wolverine. From his very first appearance in X-Men (2000) to his emotional farewell in Logan (2017), Jackman’s portrayal of the mutant hero set a new standard for physical dedication in Hollywood. But few truly understand the extraordinary effort, discipline, and even danger that went into creating one of cinema’s most legendary bodies.

In a recent interview promoting his upcoming film, Jackman opened up about the grueling transformation he endured to bring Wolverine to life once again. “To get the perfect look for the role,” he said, “I had to push myself harder than ever before. It wasn’t just about acting — it was about completely transforming who I was, physically and mentally.”

The actor revealed that he followed an extremely strict diet and exercise regime that pushed his body to its absolute limits. His daily routine reportedly started at 4:00 a.m., beginning with heavy compound lifts — squats, deadlifts, and bench presses — followed by high-intensity cardio and functional training. “For months, I lived like an athlete,” he explained. “Every meal, every hour of sleep, every workout was planned down to the smallest detail.”

But what shocked fans the most was Jackman’s admission that he had to rely on high levels of calorie intake — and occasionally, controversial methods — to maintain muscle mass and definition throughout the filming process. “I ate around 6,000 calories a day,” he shared. “Mostly chicken, brown rice, and steamed vegetables. It sounds easy until you realize how hard it is to eat that much when you’re not even hungry.”

While Jackman has always denied using performance-enhancing drugs, he acknowledged that his transformation came with serious physical risks. “I never took steroids,” he clarified. “But I did push my body beyond what’s normal. Sometimes I’d feel faint, sometimes I’d lose sleep because my body couldn’t recover fast enough. Looking back, I realize how dangerous that was.”

According to his personal trainer, the goal was to make Jackman look “animalistic, powerful, but still real.” This meant gaining lean muscle without looking like a bodybuilder. “We wanted him to move like a predator,” the trainer said. “Fast, flexible, and intimidating. It took months of coordination between dieticians, strength coaches, and film producers.”

The actor also spoke candidly about the mental toll of living under such pressure. “You start to lose track of who you are outside of the role,” Jackman admitted. “When the cameras stop rolling, you look in the mirror and realize you’ve built a body that doesn’t feel natural anymore.”

Despite the exhaustion and the countless sacrifices, Jackman says he doesn’t regret it. “Every time I put on the claws, I knew it was worth it,” he said with a smile. “Wolverine is a part of me — but also a reminder of how far I can push myself when I believe in something.”

Still, as he prepares to return to the role once again in Deadpool 3, Jackman confessed that this time, he’s approaching things differently. “I’m older now, and I understand my limits better,” he said. “I want to do this in a healthy way — no extremes, no punishing my body like before. It’s about longevity, not perfection.”

Fans have been quick to praise his honesty and vulnerability. “He’s not just Wolverine,” one fan tweeted. “He’s the real definition of dedication and discipline.” Another added, “Knowing what he went through makes me respect him even more. That’s not acting — that’s transformation.”

As the world waits for his next on-screen appearance, Hugh Jackman’s story continues to inspire — not just as a superhero, but as a man who gave everything for his craft. His journey from actor to icon stands as a testament to what it truly means to become the character, both in body and in spirit.