Hugh Jackman Endorses Taylor Lautner As Young 'Wolverine'

When Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, was asked what he thought about the rumor that Twilight heartthrob Taylor Lautner would be portraying a teenage version of Logan in the Matthew Vaughn-helmed X-Men origin story X-Men: First Class, Jackman told E! Online, “my only question is: can he grow the mutton chops?”

Lautner, who has a full schedule of film roles lined up for the near future, hasn’t confirmed or denied interest in the role, though that didn’t stop Jackman from putting his support behind the actor. "Actually, I think people would probably prefer him as a hairless Wolverine than a rather hairy-chested version," Jackman said with a laugh. "Certainly about a billion young girls would."

Vaughn, who directed the recent superhero-comedy Kick-Ass, is rumored to have his Kick star, Aaron Johnson, sign on as to play a teenage Cyclops, and James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender to play Professor Xavier and Magneto, respectively. –ANDREW BANKIN