Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman says he is in discussions about buying a stake in Norwich, raising the prospect of an unusual Championship rivalry with fellow film star Ryan Reynolds.
Jackman, whose mother is originally from Norwich, is a close friend of Reynolds, the co-owner of Wrexham. The Australian actor told talkSPORT that he is keen to become involved in English football and could soon find himself competing against Reynolds in the second tier.
“I’m very, very interested – and talking about it right now,” Jackman said when asked whether he could invest in an English club.
“Good on Ryan, you do your thing, I’m all about the Canaries.”
Jackman visited Wrexham in 2023 after accepting an invitation from Reynolds to watch the Welsh club. Reynolds owns the club alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney, with the pair having taken Wrexham from the National League to the Championship.
Wrexham achieved that rise through three successive promotions, beginning in the 2022/23 season.
Despite both clubs having won only one of their opening four matches this season, Jackman is predicting that Norwich and Wrexham will both reach the Premier League.
“I went to Carrow Road a couple of times, and I love the Canaries, and this is the year we’re going to get promoted. That’s my prediction,” said Jackman.
“My prediction is Norwich and Wrexham are getting promoted this year.”
The Sydney-born actor, 57, has previously disclosed that he was offered the opportunity to invest in Norwich in 2010, but decided not to take it.
Norwich are based in the east of England and are controlled by American billionaire Mark Attanasio, who is the club’s majority shareholder.
Jackman’s comments bring the possibility of a football connection between two Hollywood figures into sharper focus. Reynolds has helped attract global attention to Wrexham since becoming co-owner, while Jackman’s support for Norwich is rooted in his family link to the city and his affection for the club.
If Jackman completes a deal, the two actors could become investors in competing Championship clubs, with both publicly backing their respective sides to secure promotion to the top flight.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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