David Hayter has had a very eclectic career. He’s the voice of Solid Snake in the “Metal Gear Solid” franchise and is credited with writing two “X-Men” movies, including the original “X-Men” adaptation in 2000. Before that, he was answering phones for the film’s director, Bryan Singer. In going from receptionist to screenwriter for a film franchise that would redefine comic book movies, Hayter has a lot of stories.

Like the time Michael Jackson wanted to play Professor Xavier.

When word got out that an “X-Men" movie was in the works, nearly every major star at the time came calling. Aside from Jackson, film veteran Terence Stamp was in talks to portray Prof. X, while Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey were possibilities for Storm before the role went to Halle Berry.

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At one point, Viggo Mortensen had his eyes set on Wolverine, but the role eventually went to Dougray Scott before an accident on the set of “Mission Impossible 2” forced him to hand the coveted adamantium claws over to Hugh Jackman, who has maintained the role for 17 years. Even Shaq wanted a piece of the “X-Men” pie -- the basketball star was dead set on playing Bishop.

Hayter also talked about his inspiration for putting Wolverine at the forefront of the X-Men team, noting that to him, the character is the perfect balance between Prof. X and Magneto’s philosophies. This thinking apparently worked out well, as the next film in the “X-Men” franchise is the highly anticipated “Logan,” Hugh Jackman’s final outing as the clawed mutant. The film pairs Wolverine with Prof. X in a desperate bid to save a girl whose mutant abilities mirror Wolverine’s.

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Debuting in theaters on March 3, “Logan” is a production of 20th Century Fox directed by James Mangold and starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant and Dafne Keen.

Via The Hollywood Reporter.