Hugh Jackman Was ‘Pretty Close’ To Playing Former NHL Enforcer John Scott

Hugh Jackman only attaches himself to projects he’s truly interested in. According to Jackman, the story of former NHL enforcer John Scott was one that stood out to him and he was very much onboard until the project didn’t pan out.

At 6’8 and 270 lbs. when he patrolled the ice, Scott is considered to be one of the most feared NHL scrappers of all time. The Edmonton native played for the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, and Montreal Canadiens across eight seasons, earning five goals and 542 penalty minutes and was a locker room and fan favorite everywhere he went.

In early 2016, John received national attention after an internet campaign made him a write-in candidate for the all-star game with Scott winning a spot as captain. The former player refused to withdraw from the contest seemingly prompting a trade and a demotion to Newfoundland where he joined the St. John IceCaps of the AHL.

After the spotlight and fan support didn’t dissipate, the league was forced to let Scott participate as the Pacific Division team’s captain, where he rightfully earned more write-in votes to be named the tournament MVP after scoring two goals for a triumphant, feel-good Hollywood ending to the saga.

Scott had said previously on his podcast “Dropping the Gloves”, that he heard after selling the rights to his story for a film that Jackman wanted to play him. It had been reported in late Feb of 2016 that Tuesdays with Morrie writer Mitch Albom was set to write and executive produce.

Apparently, the script reached Jackman and made a big impression on him.

In a conversation with Hugh on Tuesday, focusing on his film The Son, in which he received his fourth career Golden Globe nomination for earlier this week, I asked him if Scott’s account was accurate and if so, how close we got to seeing him lace up the skates and throw some haymakers.

“It got pretty close,” the Wolverine actor told me. “I loved the script, it’s a great story. I think it’s an amazing story. Just didn’t get there in the end. But I think it’s an extraordinary story. I kind of love it.”

It wasn’t playing a big, tough scrappy hockey player that attracted Hugh to the project, but how he saw John and the way he came out on top after him and his family were thrown into a tough situation.

“Not so much the tough guy, I liked who he was as a person,” Jackman recalled. “I like his commitment to his family and the underdog [angle]. And also, the idea that he had been cast in a role, and made a living in this role but there was a dream underneath.

“Underneath that there was a dream of being a great hockey player, not just an enforcer, and all of a sudden he got that moment and then it’s that age old question, am I good enough to fulfill my dream?”

Scott retired from professional hockey in December of 2016.