Hugh Jackman contemplates exit from 'X-Men'

Actor Hugh Jackman attends the press conference of the movie "The Wolverine" in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 14, 2013. The movie will be screened in the Chinese mainland on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hugh Jackman, who's been playing the role of "Wolverine" for 13 years stretching back to 2000's "X-Men," said he's still contemplating whether to continue the role after next year's "X-Men: Days of Future Past."

"I honestly haven't made that decision. I've just finished shooting X-men: Days of Future Past. I'll make a decision in a little while," Jackman said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Jackman is in Beijing promoting his film "The Wolverine," which debuted in China on Thursday.

"There will come a time when I'll move on. The fans will want me to move on. Or more importantly, the studio will want me to move on. But right now I'm loving it," he said.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past", scheduled to debut next May, will be Jackman's seventh film as "Wolverine," a mutant superhero with a skeleton made out of adamantium, a futuristic metal.

At the San Sebastian Film Festival held in September, he said "Great parts always outgrow the actors that play them," which stirred up media conjecture that he might be considering an exit from the "X-Men" franchise.

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing will also star in the next "X-Men" film as another mutant. Jackman had high praise for her. "Obviously, she's a very big star here in China. I have a feeling it will be the same for her in America and other parts of the world," he said.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" is directed by Bryan Singer, who brought the first two installments in the franchise to the big screen. The new film has an all-star cast, including Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Evan Peters, Michael Fassbender, Ellen Page and James McAvoy.

"It's certainly the biggest and the most epic X-men film. It's a story which is emotionally rich, but intellectually, it's gonna keep you on your toes. The plot is gonna exceed people's expectations," Jackman revealed.

Jackman may return to Broadway next year, starring as famed escape artist Houdini.

"I'd love to share my time between theatre and film. I was performing in Los Angeles, doing a one-man show. For me, that is the real joy of my career," Jackman said.

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