‘Chappie’ Star Hugh Jackman Asked to Sound ‘More Australian’ for Film

Hugh Jackman was ordered to make himself sound “more Australian” for new sci-fi drama Chappie because director Neill Blomkamp decided the actor’s native accent was not strong enough after years of living in the U.S.

The Australian actor went back to his roots to play a character from Down Under in the new movie, but South African filmmaker Blomkamp was not happy with his pronounciation and asked him to be more Aussie.

Jackman tells talk show host Graham Norton, “It’s so rare for me (to play an Australian). Embarrassingly I had to go on Google and research Aussie slang because the director wanted me more Australian!”

Jackman was born in Sydney and grew up there, but moved away from his native Australia after his acting career took off and he now lives in New York City with his wife and kids.

The Graham Norton Show airs in the U.K. on Friday.

Photo Credit:Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com