Hugh Jackman has revealed that his character in Chappie has some redeeming qualities.

The Wolverine star plays nihilistic ex-soldier and engineer Vincent Moore, who sees the thinking robot as the end of mankind, in Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi movie about a robot with feelings.

“I wouldn’t call him an archetypal villain but I feel he does in a way occupy, in this film, a point of view that is important against artificial intelligence,” he explained.

“Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, there are many people out there echoing that same viewpoint. But you couple that in with someone who’s been pushed into a corner in every way, his life’s work has been challenged, and so with that particular character you’re certainly seeing the worst side of him for sure.

“He believes what he’s doing is important and right and there’s a lot of ego, but I don’t think anything in Neill’s films are archetypal, which is one of the great things about him.”

Hugh Jackman in Chappie
(Sony Pictures)

Hugh said he is excited about the idea of robots and artificial intelligence (AI).

“It doesn’t terrify me but I’m a natural optimist,” he said. “I know when the train was invented, many people saw it as the great evil of a ruined society.

“It was a huge change in the way people lived and I don’t think anyone today would see it like that. The world is changing, we change with it and adapt and may make mistakes along the way.

Hugh Jackman in Chappie
Hugh plays an engineer opposed to artificial intelligence in Chappie (Sony Pictures)

“I mean if we can create something that’s smarter than us, maybe more emotional, more caring, then maybe the planet would be a better place,” the actor added.

Chappie, which also stars Sigourney Weaver, Dev Patel and Sharlto Copley, opens in UK cinemas on March 6.