Hugh Jackman has secured his place in movie history by placing his hand and foot prints in the cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a landmark on Hollywood Boulevard, and according to Jackman is the first landmark he visited in Los Angeles. Hugh Jackman has described this ceremony as a “humbling moment”, as he joins the ranks of Clint Eastwood and Al Pacino amongst the exclusive list actors who have commemorated their movie careers on the famed cement. The ceremony precedes the release of X-men Origins: Wolverine, which will release on May 1st. In X-men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the title character wolverine, in a movie prequel that takes place before the events of the three X-men films. Origins attempts to clarify the mysterious past of the mutant wolverine, and is an adaptation of the comic book limited series ORIGIN.

The ceremonial placing of hand and foot prints in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a time-honored tradition that I have never fully understood. Of course, keep in mind that I have never had the opportunity to make my mark on the community on a fresh cement canvas. I might have had a chance on some asphalt, but I’m not sure it has the same impact if it’s in the middle of a pothole-filled road. However, I understand the appeal of acceptance into an exclusive fraternity of actors and directors. The placing of hand and foot prints at Grauman’s signifies Hugh Jackman’s arrival as an actor,accepted into a an elite group in a ceremony that mirrors a ‘Hall of Fame’ induction. At the same time, this ceremony is a promotional event. It is no coincidence that the ceremony is two weeks before the release of X-men Origins: Wolverine, and all press photos of Hugh Jackman at the ceremony contain the promotional poster for the movie in the background. The ceremony is part of the Hollywood spectacle, and I can accept its place in movie culture. I cannot, however, ignore the fact that one of America’s greatest living actors, Robert De Niro, has not been honored with a ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Maybe De Niro can expect a handprint ceremony just in time for the release of Little Fockers.

Hugh Jackman sinks hands into Hollywood history [reuters.com]

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