In March 2021, Hulu first announced its plans to release a new animated series based in Australia. Koala Man follows the story of Kevin Williams (Michael Cusack) after his drastic decision to become a superhero in the small Aussie town of Dapto turns his family’s life upside down. On October 14, 2022, Hulu gave fans a taste of what they could expect from the series with a 59-second featurette. It teased them with short clips while also offering a bit of backstory from the brilliant minds behind the series.
RELATED: Koala Man Trailer Promises A Very Rick And Morty Superhero
Cusack, who voices the titular character, explains how his pondering over what an Australian superhero might look like turned into a fully realized character. The series follows an original hero living a rather ordinary life who gets caught up in silly situations as he tries to use his powers to help his community, from making sure his neighbors’ grass meets regulation length to literally rescuing cats from trees. However, the featurette doesn’t give fans an idea of just how star-studded both the cast and crew really are. For example, Rick & Morty co-creator Justin Roiland is one of the many big names behind the camera, and Matrix alum Hugo Weaving will be lending his legendary voice. However, the addition of Hugh Jackman to the list of critically-acclaimed voice actors definitely has fans thrilled.
Jackman took to Instagram on January 3, 2023, to let his fans know he’d be joining the colorful cast of Koala Man among the frenzy of confirming he’d once again be playing Wolverine.
He posted the two-minute trailer on his popular social media feed with the caption, “Koala Man to the rescue? 1.9 #biggreg”, ahead of the official series release on streaming platforms in the US and in Australia. As of January 9, fans can watch the series no matter where they’re located – on Hulu in the US, on Star+ in Latin America, and internationally on Disney Plus via Star Hub. Jackman made sure to share the news on his Twitter account as well followed by Pokémon: Detective Pikachu writer Dan Hernandez – a producer on the series – tweeting a reminder of its official debut on the day of its release.
According to this article from Deadline, Koala Man features Hugh Jackman as “[Big Greg], the most well-liked man in Dapto and the head of the Town Council.” Lynette Rice describes Big Greg as someone who’s “ridden his celebrity into a trusted position in Dapto,” someone who has “only known success.” Like Jackman in real life, Big Greg is tall and muscular, with the ability to take any sized T-shirt and make it look way too small for his incredible build. Unlike Jackman, though, Big Greg rocks a blonde ponytail and has a tendency toward Type-A behavior. Even in the short video shared by Jackman on his social media, Big Greg seems the type to be overly demanding in his pursuit of perfection.
Hugh Jackman’s new role in Koala Man is a clear departure from his status as an international sweetheart. It also presents an interesting opportunity for the actor to show yet another side of his skill set when it comes to his renowned profession. In some ways, it’s a familiar setting for the actor: an animated series with a superhero twist that surrounds him with a seasoned group of fellow cast members.
Jackman’s previous work on projects like Big Mouth, The Simpsons, and Human Resources assures audiences of his voice-acting talent. Yet, this role is a complete departure for him in other ways. Audiences are used to seeing him with superpowers, just in a more dramatic fashion. While it might be odd for some to see him as doing comedy as a superhero, it’s a fun glimpse into what he might have to offer in the much-anticipated Deadpool 3.
In an industry with a constant stream of superhero content, some people are starting to reach their limit and might be hoping for a break from the genre. Studios like Marvel, Lucasfilm, and DC are all about building a franchise and many are beginning to crave one-off projects again. These audience members aren’t excited about Koala Man, because they’re afraid it might be more of the same. Fortunately, the new series manages to be a fresh take on a familiar concept. Koala Man is eight episodes of watching a regular dude fumble his way through being a better person. Anyone overwhelmed with superhero content might find themselves endeared by the series’ exploration of how good intentions can take a turn for the hilarious when applied to the big leagues of joining the fight of good vs evil.
MORE: The Case for a Deadpool Cameo in Marvel’s Wolverine
Source: Hugh Jackman Joins ‘Koala Man’ Animated Series In Works At Hulu
