Regarding why Jackman was brought in to replace Dougray Scott as Wolverine, David Hayter said the actor “brought a lot of enthusiasm and that rubbed off on a lot of people.”
X-Men marked Hugh Jackman’s third film appearance, having previously appeared in the Australian movies Erskinville Kings and Paperback Hero.
Combined with plenty of stage experience stretching back to his childhood, Jackman had certainly demonstrated his performing talents, but he was still basically an unknown.
That Russell Crowe recommendation surely helped too.