Hugh Jackman recently spoke to The Herald Sun about X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The actor is deep into shooting this X-Men spinoff, working Down Under alongside costars Liev Schreiber and Ryan Reynolds.

"I'm used to these movies now," he said to the newspaper. "They're big and there's a lot involved, a lot at stake, so it's always high pressure. But Gavin Hood, our director, is a real force. He's an Oscar-winning director (for Tsotsi) and he's used to working under different kinds of pressure and stresses."

Meanwhile, Jackman hand-picked Melbourne youngster Kodi Smit-McPhee to play Wolverine as a young man.

"He's one of those kids who's fearless," Jackman said. "I hope he doesn't read this article because yes, there is pressure on him because of who he's playing and the expectations of fans. I was lucky to be completely ignorant of fans' expectations and the whole world before X-Men came out. I just hope he doesn't read too much or go on the internet because he naturally has the goods I know the fans will love."

X-Men Origins: Wolverine hits theaters on May 1, 2009.