Hugh Jackman plays the Easter Bunny in Rise of the Guardians

Hugh Jackman made his first major U.S. film appearance as Wolverine in the first installment of the “X-Men” franchise, a role he reprised in the enormously successful “X2” and “X-Men: The Last Stand” in 2006. Most recently in the franchise, he played Wolverine in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which serves as a prequel to the popular series and grossed $85 million domestically in its first weekend of release in May 2009.

Audiences will see Jackman in the role again in the next “X-Men” chapter, “The Wolverine. Jackman recently wrapped production on the much-anticipated film adaptation of the musical “Les Miserables,” directed by Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper, and co-starring Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe.

This Holiday season he lending his voice to a warrior rabbit E. Aster Bunnymund, aka The Easter Bunny in DreamWorks Animations ‘Rise of the Guardians’.


 In Joyce’s books, E. Aster Bunnymund, better known as the Easter Bunny, is a Pooka, the last of an ancient race of giant, warrior rabbit-priests that protect life. Bunnymund has the ability to create magical portals that allow him to travel throughout the world in the blink of an eye to deliver beautifully decorated Easter eggs.

 “This Easter Bunny is the coolest character you’ve ever met,” says Hugh Jackman, who voices Bunnymund in the film.

“He’s pretty badass. Think Indiana Jones with a touch of Steve Irwin. He protects nature, he’s a brilliant martial artist and he’s very strong. He can jump high, of course, and he has these two boomerangs on his hips, instead of six-shooters, which he uses to great effect. It was great that they allowed me to play him as this irascible Australian – tough, a little bit grumpy, and no-nonsense. He doesn’t muck around. He’s got a job to do and he’s going to get it done, no matter what.” “He’s almost like a cowboy in some ways,” Ramsey says. “He’s got a little bit of that feel about him. He’s a perfect counterpoint to North who comes into a room and knocks everything over because he’s so big.” “He’s a fierce warrior when he needs to be,” Steinberg agrees, “but he also has this amazing other side to him. He’s a ranger and a nurturer – of Spring, of hope, of new beginnings, of the little eggs that he grows.” “One of things Hugh latched onto was the rivalry that we’ve got between Bunny and North,” Ramsey adds. “Hugh loved that. He did so many riffs where he’s annoyed because North is always trying to steal the spotlight and elbow Easter out of the way. But Bunny is going to protect his holiday to the very last breath. Hugh brought that to life.” 

‘Rise of The Guardians’ is released and distributed by United Intl. Pictures through Solar Entertainment . Corp.