Wolverine star Hugh Jackman has revealed he will continue to play the role of the iconic X-Men mutant for as long as his fans demand his presence.

"I've been around long enough in this business to know great parts like this don't come along very often and as long as the part continues to grow and the reason for doing is there and that continues to grow, and let's face it, that the audience still wants to see it, I don't see any reason to give it up. I'm having more fun now than ever," the 44-year-old Australian actor confessed.

Jackman, who was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Les Misérables), also said the physical training for the character was particularly hard for this film.

Consequently, he admitted there would be a time when the physical demands of the character would necessitate a younger man. However, he stressed he would have no problem either letting go when the time came or watching someone else take on the role.

"You have to be realistic and know that these characters who have been around a long time. No one playing Hamlet is upset if someone else gives it a go," he explained.

Meanwhile, Jackman also joked that his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, was not a particular admirer of his toned physique.

"I get a hard time for it. Deb tells me, 'Your job, as my husband, is to be fat and chubby, so that I look great,'" he bantered. And, for her part, she believes a starving Hugh Jackman is a furious Hugh Jackman.

"I think that's where he finds his rage [for the character] - you don't give him nice food ... really scary! He's really scary with no food. Wolverine rage! It takes a lot of discipline. I'm there to witness it. The world's most disciplined man," she joked in turn.

And it is not over. After having completed Wolverine, Jackman is now working on X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is set to begin filming in 2014.

While we wait for yet another episode of Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, check out red carpet photos of the Australian from Wolverine premieres across the world

Hugh Jackman says hell keep playing Wolverine as long as fans want him to
Hugh Jackman says he'll keep playing 'Wolverine' as long as fans want him to Reuters
Jackman is all excited about the release of his latest movie, The Wolverine, a role that catapulted him to superstardom, which he has been essaying for the past 13 years.
Jackman is all excited about the release of his latest movie, The Wolverine, a role that catapulted him to superstardom, which he has been essaying for the past 13 years. Reuters
The 44-year-old actor of Les Miserables, who went through a tough diet and training regime for his role in Wolverine, stated that his wife never admired his toned physique.
The 44-year-old actor of Les Miserables, who went through a tough diet and training regime for his role in Wolverine, stated that his wife never admired his toned physique. Reuters
Actor Hugh Jackman speaks during a news conference to promote his new movie The Wolverine at a hotel in Seoul
Actor Hugh Jackman speaks during a news conference to promote his new movie "The Wolverine" at a hotel in Seoul Reuters
Actor Hugh Jackman poses as he arrives at the UK Premiere of The Wolverine at Leicester Square in London
Actor Hugh Jackman poses as he arrives at the UK Premiere of "The Wolverine" at Leicester Square in London Reuters
Actor Hugh Jackman poses as he arrives at the UK Premiere of The Wolverine at Leicester Square in London
Actor Hugh Jackman poses as he arrives at the UK Premiere of "The Wolverine" at Leicester Square in London Reuters
Actor Hugh Jackman poses with Tao Okamoto L and Rila Fukushima R at the UK Premiere of The Wolverine at Leicester Square in London
Actor Hugh Jackman poses with Tao Okamoto (L) and Rila Fukushima (R) at the UK Premiere of "The Wolverine" at Leicester Square in London Reuters
Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Furness
Actor Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness arrive for the premiere of Les Miserables in New York Reuters
Hugh Jackman
Actor Hugh Jackman poses for a portrait while promoting his movie Les Miserables in New York Hugh Jackman Looks Hot in Men's Fitness Covers Reuters
Hugh Jackman
He is also the 3rd Highest Paid Actor in Hollywood. https://www.facebook.com/HughJ
Actor Hugh Jackman gestures to fans during the Japan premiere of quotX-men OriginsWolverinequot in Tokyo.
Actor Hugh Jackman gestures to fans while sitting on a motorcycle at a red carpet event for the Japan premiere of "X-men Origins:Wolverine" in Tokyo September 3, 2009. REUTERS/Michael Caronna