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Home / Entertainment

Why Hugh Jackman loved being a pirate

By Emily Yahr
Washington Post·
21 Sep, 2015 06:30 AM3 mins to read

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Check out the first trailer for Pan, starring Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard and due for release in 2015.

Hugh Jackman described the experience of playing Blackbeard in Neverland as "just awesome" as he joined co-stars Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund and Levi Miller in London's Leicester Square for the film's world premiere.

Jackman plays the sneering, ruthless pirate Blackbeard in the film, which reveals the magical beginnings of the boy who never grew up.

To celebrate Pan's launch Leicester Square's gardens were transformed into a breathtaking Neverland, complete with bright canopies, floral arches, colourful tents and masts and rigging from the deck of the Jolly Roger.

Rooney Mara, Hugh Jackman and Cara Delevingne at the World Premiere of Pan, in Leicester Square. Photo / AP
Rooney Mara, Hugh Jackman and Cara Delevingne at the World Premiere of Pan, in Leicester Square. Photo / AP

As he strolled the red - in this case blue - carpet Jackman posed for photos with screaming fans.

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Describing the experience of filming, he said: "The movie was so much fun and it was like nothing I had really done before because increasingly these movies become more and more green screen.

"We had the biggest set that had ever been built. (Director) Joe Wright said, 'No, I want this set, I want the feel of Neverland, I want the real ships', and we did. These ships moved, and it was crazy."

"You are playing a pirate and you are in Neverland, I mean what's not to like? It was just awesome."

Miller, his young co-star, also admitted to having a slight crush on Mara, who plays Tiger Lily in the film.

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Jackman said he had always been a Peter Pan fan and described the joy of revisiting JM Barrie's 1911 novel before starting filming.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP
Australian actor Hugh Jackman at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP

He said: "It's something that every adult should go back and read because it's one of those great reminders, that it's easy to lose your child-like sense of wonder with the world, that anything can happen, and 'fun' of life.

"And that's sort of what it it's about, and how (as) adults we get weighed down by responsibilities and we lose that sense of fun and wonder."

Jackman, an Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, was also full of praise for his young co-star Miller.

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Australian actor Levi Miller at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP
Australian actor Levi Miller at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP

The 12-year-old - a fellow Australian - beat thousands of hopefuls to win the role of Peter, his first major film role.

Jackman said Levi initially called him "Mr Jackman" until the older star put him right and told him to call him Hugh.

He said: "He's just a natural. He's a natural actor, and his heart and his warmth really is the centre of the movie, I think."

US actor Garrett Hedlund at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP
US actor Garrett Hedlund at the World Premiere of Pan in London's Leicester Square. Photo / AFP

Pan is out in New Zealand cinemas from October 1.

- PAA

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