Hugh Jackman Featured in Men's Fitness Magazine

Actor Hugh Jackman tells contributing editor Tim Struby in the October cover story of Men's Fitness that he can't remember the last time someone called him an asshole. "I'm a bit of a people pleaser, unfortunately. My wife [of 15 years Deborra-Lee Furness] says it's hard to be married to me. She wishes I were more of an asshole."

Despite his ripped 6'3", 195-pound physique, Jackman-star of the upcoming robo-boxing drama Real Steel-tells Struby, "I don't really enjoy training. People say it's addictive, but I'm like, ‘not so much.'" He says he's more of a "wake-up-and-swim-in-the-ocean guy" than a gym rat. "If I weren't getting paid or didn't have a character like Wolverine to maintain, I would just be a tall, lean, fit guy."

Even so, Jackman has a knack for radically changing his body for different roles-packing on 20 pounds of muscle for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, shedding it with speed and agility drills to host the 2009 Oscars, then adding 30 pounds for Real Steel reshoots. "My latest trick," he tells Struby, "is wearing a heart monitor when I'm lifting. I never let the rate dip below 140. It's full-on."

The Aussie star spent a year prepping for his Real Steel role, and in addition to skipping rope and hitting the pads with former middleweight contender Michael Olajide Jr., the studio hired Leonard to ensure that Jackman's character looked and moved more like a veteran of the ring. "I had to make certain he executed punches properly," says Leonard. "Because fans would know right away if it didn't look right."

Leonard's most valuable insight, however, had more to do with Jackman's head than his hands. Leonard spoke to Jackman about the loneliness of the sport, how obsessive fighters can become, and about his trainer, Angelo Dundee, stressing the importance of the trainer-fighter relationship. "Ray also explained that it's all about the eyes," says Jackman. "The intensity that a fighter possesses. He taught me how to express that without words."

The October issue of Men's Fitness hits national newsstands on September 12.

Don't Miss a Broadway News Story Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...