How Dwayne Johnson Became Hugh Jackman’s Secret Wolverine Coach

Hugh Jackman has confirmed one of Hollywood’s great fitness stories: the 6,000-calorie diet that built Wolverine came directly from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, delivered over a phone call so memorable Jackman calls it “one of the coolest moments ever.”

Asked point-blank by Rich Eisen whether The Rock really gave him the regimen, Jackman didn’t hesitate: “True. It’s absolutely true.”

The ‘Yo, Wolverine!’ Phone Call

Jackman explained the origin: after seeing how ripped Johnson looked, he simply called him up. The greeting alone set the tone: “He picked up and said, ‘Yo, Wolverine!'”

Johnson then walked him through the entire diet and training plan, and mid-consultation delivered a moment of pure Rock lore. When someone knocked on his trailer saying, “We’re ready for you,” Johnson replied: “I’m talking to Wolverine! I’ll be out there when I’m done.”

The Cheat Meal Humbling

Johnson’s plan came with one crucial instruction: a proper cheat meal every week. Jackman, dutifully, sent a photo of his indulgence, a burger, fries and a shake.

The Rock was unimpressed, telling him that wasn’t a real cheat meal, and sent back photographic proof of his own: cookies, tequila and three pizzas. His verdict: “That’s a cheat meal.” Johnson’s gargantuan cheat days, from stacks of pancakes to entire pizzas, have long been internet legend, so Jackman’s burger never stood a chance.

The Diet Itself: 6,000 Calories of Tilapia and Discipline

Jackman has detailed the regimen over the years, crediting Johnson with the blueprint: “He said, ‘Okay, you want to put on 25 pounds of lean muscle? You need six months. You need to eat 6,000 calories and here it is.'”

The catch, as Jackman told Jimmy Fallon, is that they’re the wrong kind of calories:

“It’s 6,000 calories, and it’s not the calories you necessarily want. Like, half a pizza is 6,000 calories. But no, this is chicken, and it’s tilapia and beans… I don’t know why tilapia. It must be some fish that is lean, and green beans.”

Wolverine’s Body of Work

The Johnson protocol powered Jackman’s transformation for The Wolverine and endured through Deadpool & Wolverine, where the Hollywood strikes forced him to extend the diet after he’d scheduled his key shirtless scene for the end of the shoot. “Why did I say that?” he joked.

The results were undeniable: when Jackman and Ryan Reynolds first walked on set suited up, the crew went silent and Reynolds’ dresser reportedly cried at the sight. Not bad for a man in his mid-50s running on lean fish, green beans, and one properly supervised cheat day, courtesy of the People’s Champ.

Hugh Jackman says Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson put him on a 6,000-calorie diet to prepare for his role as Wolverine.

Rich Eisen : “To play Wolverine, you went on a 6,000-calorie diet, and The Rock gave you the regimen. Is that true?”

Hugh Jackman : “True. It’s absolutely true.”… pic.twitter.com/XoK2bskDHf

— KΞRL_✂️ (@KRL_defi_) July 11, 2026

FAQ

Did The Rock really design Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine diet?

Yes. Jackman confirmed to Rich Eisen it’s “absolutely true”, and has long credited Johnson with the 6,000-calorie, six-month plan to gain 25 pounds of lean muscle.

What was in the 6,000-calorie diet?

Lean proteins, mostly chicken and tilapia, with green beans, not indulgent food; Jackman notes half a pizza alone hits 6,000 calories.

What was The Rock’s cheat meal?

Cookies, tequila and three pizzas, which he sent to Jackman after dismissing the actor’s burger, fries and shake as insufficient.

What did The Rock say when Jackman called?

“Yo, Wolverine!”, and he later told set staff, “I’m talking to Wolverine! I’ll be out there when I’m done.”

Did Jackman use the diet for Deadpool & Wolverine?

Yes, and the Hollywood strikes forced him to maintain it far longer than planned for his climactic scene.

Also Read | How Sydney Sweeney’s Christy Inspired Ethan Hawke’s 17-Year-Old