Peter Dinklage: ‘I was Hugh Jackman’s body double’

SINGAPORE – Was it really Hugh Jackman in that spectacular nude scene in the new X-Men movie, or was it really ... Peter Dinklage?

“I was his body double for that scene,” Dinklage joked, to loud laughter and cheers at a press conference held at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore.

Jackman, Dinklage and Chinese co-star Fan Bing Bing were in Singapore for the South-east Asian premiere of X-Men: Days Of Future Past, which opens here next Thursday.

“It was a full body naked scene, and I just didn’t feel too happy with my derriere, so Peter stepped in,” Jackman quipped, before adding that working out for that scene felt like “peaking for a marathon”.

“There were a few lunges and squats done that morning,” continued Jackman. “I can tell you the day it was shot was May 21, because it takes a long time to get into shape. You have to be ready on the day.

“And I remember, the assistant director came up to me and said, ‘We’re going to move that scene in the hotel till two weeks later’. I said, ‘Here’s the deal, you can do whatever scene you want on May 21, but I am going to be naked. It could be on the plane or in the White House, I don’t care, I am going to take my clothes off and that is the only day I will have them off’.”

Jackman also said he was thrilled for Channing Tatum, who has just been cast as Gambit for the next X-Men film.

“I’m thrilled for Channing. I’ve never heard of him, he’s an up-and-coming actor so, yes, it’s a great break for him,” Jackman deadpanned. “I hope it does big things for him.”

The 45-year-old also had a few words of advice for Tatum.

“The fact that someone of his stature and his talent is coming on board speaks high volumes of the Marvel characters, to the X-Men characters,” said Jackman. “Gambit has always been a fan favourite. I know there will be pressure on him, and the fans ... he will get stopped for the rest of his life (with fans) telling him what they liked and what they didn’t, but they are the best fans in the world.”