X-Men franchise star Hugh Jackman reveals how he came close to losing the opportunity to play the iconic role of Wolverine when he was nearly deported just as filming began on the first film. Jackman has played the character nine times on 0n-screen over the span of almost two decades, granting him the Guinness World Record for longest career as a live-action Marvel character. Jackman’s last appearance as Wolverine came in the 2017 film Logan, which was a critical and financial hit, earning over $619 worldwide with an R-rating. That film also earned a rare nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2018 Academy Awards.

The X-Men were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first published by Marvel Comics in 1963. Meanwhile, the character of Wolverine made his first appearance in issue #180 of The Incredible Hulk in 1974. X-Men Vol 2 #1, featuring Wolverine, is still the best-selling comic book of all-time, with sales of over 8.1 million copies. Over the decades, the character’s popularity has consistently surged, thanks in part to the highly successful live-action films, and Jackman’s portrayal throughout the years has become synonymous with the Marvel hero.

Related: X-Men Originally Had A Different Wolverine — Why Hugh Jackman Was Cast

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jackman revealed how he was once detained at an airport on his way to Canada, as filming began on the original X-Men film. Jackman, who had not yet received his required work visa, experienced a nerve-wracking airport encounter when he was forced to explain his purpose for traveling to the country. An incident that seemingly placed the Oscar nominated actor at risk of losing his star-making role. Jackman described the incident in detail:

I just broke. It was pathetic. And he goes, “Go over there.” And it was that room — you know, like, the room. You don’t want to be in that room. That room is bad. And I went in there, and I was there for like an hour and a half. And he made me wait. And I went to make a phone call. That guy literally is like, “Get off the phone now!” This is serious! You have no rights in here! You have no phone calls!” And I’m sitting there going, “Okay, first of all, I’ve just lost the biggest break of my life.” “I’m going to go to jail, and I don’t know what to do and…” So, I finally get up there, and he’s like, “Listen, we’re probably going to send you back on a plane.

And I said, “Listen, I’m sorry. It’s just — I’ve got this part in this thing, and they haven’t got my visa.” And he goes, “What’s the thing?” And I said, “Well, it’s ‘X-Men.’ It’s like a comic book.” He goes, “What?” Well, you mean like the animation thing, ‘X-Men’?” And I goes, “Well, no, they’re doing a live-action version of it.” He goes, “What?” And I said, “Yeah.” And he goes, “Well, what did you audition for?” And I said, “It’s a character called Wolverine.” He goes, “What?!” And he literally looked at me, and then he just — to all his mates, he goes, “Hey, Jimmy, it’s Wolverine! This is Wolverine!” Honestly, I went out there with a police escort, just to let me out. This guy made me sign autographs, everything. He was a mad “X-Men” fan. And that’s the only reason I ended up getting the part.

Fortunately, Jackman was able to successfully avoid being deported at the brink of international stardom and went to experience one of the most successful careers in entertainment. He is, of course, best known for his tenure as Wolverine following the ensuing success of the initial X-Men movie in 2000. In addition to his Marvel projects, Jackman received a Golden Globe (and an Oscar nomination) for his performance in Les Misérables, and a Tony Award for playing Peter Allen in the Boy from Oz. Jackman has also earned acclaim for turns in movies like The Greatest Showman and TV shows such as Bad Education. It’s funny to think how this impressive career was almost derailed before it really started.

In recent times, many have vocalized a strong desire to see Jackman play the role of Wolverine again in a variety of projects. Some films on fans’ wishlist include Deadpool 3 with Ryan Reynolds, and a cameo in the upcoming Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In that film, the concept of alternate realities is deeply prevalent, which has opened up the possibility of other versions of Marvel characters from past projects making an appearance. Although, despite demand from fans, the actor has been quoted as saying “there’s nothing in [his] inbox from [Marvel Studios President] Kevin Feige.”