The change is good for the Aussie star because of the exposure it brings, but despite the box office appeal of the 'X-Men' movies, Jackman said these days he leans more toward starring on Broadway, where he won a Tony.

It's Jackman's fourth turn as tough-talking Wolverine, a role he won in the 2000 film 'X-Men,' fresh from starring in a London stage production of the musical 'Oklahoma!' 'There's no doubt that as soon as this movie came out, that my career was like a Great Dane dragging me down the street,' Jackman told Reuters about the last nine years of his career.

The 2000 'X-Men' made US$296 million (S$442 million) at worldwide box offices and helped usher in the latest wave of comic book movies. The 2003 'X2' topped that with US$408 million, and the 2006 'X-Men: The Last Stand' burst past it at US$459 million.

Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Media by Numbers reckons 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' could fetch from US$85 million to US$100 million at US box offices on its debut weekend - the first weekend of Hollywood's summer season.

Jackman, 40, said playing Wolverine has been a challenge because of the 'sustained energy' he needs while shooting.

'Underneath you've got to feel he's ready to explode all the time,' he said of the character. -- REUTERS