On-Set Insights: Giovannie Cruz Shares Hugh Jackman’s Secret to Meet 100 People in a Day and How James Gunn Plays to Win
Hugh Jackman and James Gunn have both established themselves as two of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry.
Jackman, renowned for his role as Wolverine in the “X-Men” film series, has won the hearts of millions around the globe, with Gunn becoming one of the most sought-after directors of recent years—thanks to his work on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies.
The two have set the standard for what is possible in the world of entertainment, through innovation, creativity, and sheer talent.
But recently, both of them did something so memorable that an actress who worked with them (on different occasions) will never forget it.
Actress Giovannie Cruz reveals that an encounter with Hugh Jackman in 2019 on the set of summer blockbuster “Reminiscence”—in which she has a scene with the megastar—inspired her to start a new tradition for her own arrival to each new movie set.
In an interview with Film Daily correspondents, Cruz recounts how Jackman’s friendly demeanor and kindness towards his colleagues left a lasting impression on her.
Cruz’s birthday was the first day of filming, and she says that at first, she was nervous about working with big names like Rebecca Ferguson and Hugh Jackman.
However, Jackman’s friendly nature quickly put her at ease.
Cruz remembers that Jackman told everyone in the makeup trailer that it was “lucky Thursday,” and then he gave his coworkers lottery scratcher tickets.
Giovannie Cruz (Credit: IMDB)
Cruz noted that Jackman’s approach to meeting new people was refreshing, as he didn’t assume that everyone knew who he was.
Instead, he would introduce himself, ask for their name, and engage in a brief conversation before giving a scratcher to the next lucky person.
Inspired by Jackman’s icebreaker tactic, Cruz began handing out lottery tickets on the sets she worked on as a way to show gratitude and get to know her new colleagues.
“I find that it always feels like a special occasion when I’m on set. Whether it’s a real holiday or a made-up holiday, it’s a reason to spread kindness and celebrate.”
Giovannie says she recently embraced the Hugh Jackman-inspired positivity tradition towards others while she was working on “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
“I used it as a way to break the ice to let them know that I’m an approachable person,” Cruz said.
Cruz’s tradition of handing out lottery tickets to break the ice hasn’t gone unnoticed by her colleagues.
Giovannie also comically recalled demonstrating how to perform a scratch-off to Pom Klementieff on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” set because the actor had never done one before. Even director James Gunn got in on the fun.
She adds, “I handed one of the tickets to James. He scratched it, and out of everyone, he was the only person who won!”
But what James Gunn Did Next Was Shocking:
“He was like, ‘Oh, look, it’s a winner,’ then he just gave it right back to me,” Giovannie laughs.
Gunn definitely has some good fortune, and it literally rubbed off—right back on to Giovannie.
For Cruz, the tradition of handing out lottery tickets is not just a fun icebreaker – it’s also a way to show her colleagues that she values their work and contributions to the project.
“It helps me show gratitude to people that I’ve already been interacting with, and it also helps open the door for anyone who might be hesitant to talk to me,” she says.
Cruz’s story is a reminder that even small gestures and gratitude can have a lasting impact on those around us.
In an industry often known for its competitiveness and cutthroat nature, acts of kindness like this can go a long way in creating a positive and inclusive work environment.
In the philosophical spirit of Hugh Jackman, whatever day it might be, why not make it a lucky one?
For more on-set insights and adventures, follow Giovannie Cruz on Instagram.
