Why Hugh Jackman gave producer Kevin Feige a $15 steakhouse gift card (original) (raw)

Hugh Jackman remembered a friend who was there from the start on Thursday.

At the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring producer and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, Jackman presented him with a $15 gift card to a steakhouse. He also explained in what he called the "Kevin Feige origin story" just why the gift was the perfect thing for him to have brought to the occasion.

The movie star and Feige, who has worked on an impressive succession of blockbuster superhero movies from 2003's Daredevil to this month's Deadpool & Wolverine, met early in their careers, when Jackman auditioned to play Wolverine in 2000 release X-Men.

Kevin Feige accepts a gift card from Hugh Jackman.

variety/youtube

The first tryout did not go as well as he had wanted, the actor explained to a star-studded crowd that included Emma Corrin, Chris Evans, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Brie Larson, Simu Liu, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Ryan Reynolds, and Sebastian Stan.

When it was over, Feige, an assistant producer, gave Jackman a ride to the airport. Feige then pulled over at a restaurant and said he wasn't going to send Jackman home without some food.

“He just insists, says I want to give you a steak," Jackman recalled. "So we go in to this steakhouse and, you know, I'm an actor. I'm in. It's free steak. Totally."

Jackman said he remembered thinking to himself, This is a class act.

Eventually, despite his pessimism, Jackman landed the role.

Kevin Feige was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Charley Gallay/Getty

He became friends with Feige, who he found "kind" and "trustworthy."

The producer was the kind of supportive pal who would slip comic books to Jackman, since he'd never read them.

"I just figured this guy is never gonna make it in showbiz," Jackman joked.

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In what he called a "full-circle moment," Jackman presented Feige with a gift to Maestro's Steakhouse, which he teased is "valid on Tuesdays between 3 and 3:30."

"And I honestly would go with you," he deadpanned, "but I'm kind of like a massive movie star now. Wouldn't look good for me."