By Jenny Halper in New York City

“I would defy Lance Armstrong to say what he did was tough, physically,” said Hugh Jackman. Tall and lean and leather-clad, the “X-Men” star seemed more than capable of surmounting any physical challenge- even in a room full of journalists.

A full day of interviews might have left him a little wilted, but it was early. Jackman, a devoted dad and frequent musical theater performer (his cult following could give comic book fans a run for their money), told press about physical feats on the set of the third “X-Men,” the possibility of a prequel, and why theater is more strenuous than playing Wolverine- with or without claws.

Q: You’ve said you’re not a big Sci-Fi fan. Three “X-Men” movies later, has that changed?

HUGH: This is the second time that someone has pointed out to me that I've done a lot of films with a sci-fi element. I'm not an avid fan of sci-fi, but I think 'X-Men' has worked (because) people can relate to it beyond all the extraordinary elements. So as an actor I just connect with the heart of the character. Movie making on some level always has an element of fantasy. So maybe it does appeal to me without me consciously knowing it.

Q: Did you find this film darker than the others?

HUGH: What happens is darker if you just read the plot points. I think that the essential idea of the cure is the best idea that we've had script wise for the film. But a few of the characters die in this and that's pretty full on and that's going to be controversial amongst fans. So that's definitely darker and I think that Brett's personality comes through in the film- which is ultimately fun and makes it an enjoyable film to watch. It's fun and it has funny moments in it and that's just his personality. He's a very emotional guy, a very instinctive guy, a very passionate sort of guy. I think that all comes out in the film.

Q: I’d imagine you missed working with Bryan (Singer).

HUGH: Of course he was missed. I think that he needs to be given great credit for the world that he created, and Brett smartly didn't try and reinvent the wheel. I think that he added his own voice to it, but I would say that most people who see the film are not going to see a huge difference like they did with, say, “Harry Potter.” But Bryan had a little bit of a choice. I remember him directing me on “X-Men I,” yelling out, “It's just like that moment when Superman rips off the car door and pulls Lois Lane out and he goes around the earth.” I said, “Bryan. I haven't seen Superman since I was twelve. You can't give me that direction.” So he shut down filming and took me to his trailer and showed me the scene and he said that he sees the film twenty times a year. I knew that was probably a chance that he couldn't pass up. I think that in his heart of hearts he hoped both would happen, but of course he was missed.

Q: Did Wolverine’s last action surprise you?

HUGH: We're at the end of three movies and so we were always thinking that we had to come up with ideas and situations that are fitting of a trilogy. From the beginning, that idea that this would happen at the end and I thought for the character of Wolverine - he saved Rogue at the beginning and has had very heroic moments, but none as great as this. I mean, it's sort of Greek tragedy really and quite melodramatic. How far would you go for the person that you love even if that love is unrequited?

Q: Did you have fun with the claws? You must have killed at least thirty people.

HUGH: It was fantastic and there are a good fifty on the cutting room floor, trust me. I was like, 'Where are all those other guys that I killed?' With those scenes, you film them at night and you're forever slipping on gravel and whacking guys in the head. These stunt guys are tough, and one poor guy I clocked right in the eye and he actually had this prosthetic I took half of the prosthetic off and so we kind of kept filming and the poor guy is on the cutting room floor. That guy is like, 'I took a punch from Wolverine and I'm not even in there.'

Q: What’s more grueling, a film like this or a long run on Broadway?

HUGH: Broadway. Four months. I think that nothing will ever be as physically as tough as that.

Q: Do you have plans to come back?

HUGH: I can't confirm, but I'm looking at two or three different things. 'Wolverine; the musical.’. He knows that people are going to die and he knows that it's going to be apocalyptic.

Q: Is “Wolverine” the movie going to happen?

HUGH: It's probably going to be a prequel to the movies that exist. About three months ago I saw the second draft that David Bennioff has done. He's a huge fan of the franchise and probably one of the hottest writers in town and so the lucky thing that I have is him as a partner on this. So I think there is enough in this character to substantiate not just an appendage to the movie that exists, but an entity on it's own. I don't want to make 'Wolverine' be a kind of disguise for 'X-Men IV.' I want to make it stylistically and character wise as different as we can and show some new stuff. I play him and I would day this, but I think that he is one of the most interesting characters in terms of action heroes and comic book heroes around.

Q: And you’re making some animated films. Is that for your family?

HUGH: Well, yes. But one of them I play a very small role in is George Miller. I'm a huge fan. I'm Australian and I'm happy to see that and I loved the script. So I love it. I have two kids and so I watch every animated movie fifty times. So I know if it's good or not. 'Flushed Away' is the guy who did 'Cro-Magnon' and I was a fan from their early 'Wallace and Grommit' short movies. I used to buy all their short movies. I would like to say that I did it for my kids, but really that was for me.

“X-Men: The Last Stand” opens on May 26th.