Hugh Jackman needs bulk for Wolverine

Los Angeles - Hugh Jackman has been told to "bulk up" before he stars in The Wolverine.

The 43-year-old actor is set to reprise his role as the comic book character for a second spin-off movie from the X-Men series, but he has lost a considerable amount of weight since appearing in Hugh Jackman: Back On Broadway, and needs to get back into shape.

He told the New York Post: "The studio wants me to bulk up. Singing and dancing makes the suits nervous because weight just falls off me, but I'd rather sing and dance on Broadway than make movies.

Delayed

"In 2012, I'll combine both when I start shooting Les Miserables."

Hugh will have additional time to increase his size after confirming The Wolverine has been delayed, with some reports suggesting he won't starting filming until at least March, and it may not hit screens until 2013.

It's not the first time the Australian star has been asked to alter his weight before starring in a film as he was 9kg heavier than he should've been before taking on the role of ex-fighter Charlie Kenton in Real Steel earlier this year.

He said: "It was kinda nice not to do all the action, I must admit. I rang Shawn Levy, the director, and said, 'Shawn, I play an ex-boxer, I think we should go for it. I've met Mike Tyson and he still looks formidable but he looks a little softer - don't tell him this please.

"But anyway I turned up a month before shooting, 20lbs (9kg) overweight, and Shawn said, 'That realism thing, let's just pull that way back.'"