Joshua Jackson Says Emilio Estevez Gave Him Tough Love on Set ofD2: The Mighty Ducks— and It Changed Everything

Mar. 15, 2025

Emilio Estevez (left) and Joshua Jackson in ‘D3: The Mighty Ducks’ in 1996.Photo:Meila Penn / Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Meila Penn / Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Sometimes mentors can change your whole way of thinking.

“I was quite young. And I kind of learned how to be on set from Emilio, because I didn’t know any of this stuff,” Jackson, 46, said. He played Charlie Conway in the trilogy of films, beginning with 1992’sMighty Ducks. Estevez, 62, played Gordon Bombay, a former youth hockey player who has to coach the team as community service.

The cast of ‘D2: The Mighty Ducks’ in 1994.Courtesy Everett Collection

Courtesy Everett Collection

TheFringealumnus remembered that one day while filming 1994’sD2: Mighty Ducks, they filmed a game sequence in an arena full of people; he guessed around 20,000 fans were in attendance. “And as I was coming off [the ice], I don’t know why — either I was being a little dick or I was tired or whatever — but for some reason, there were a bunch of people waiting for autographs and I just blew past them to go to the locker room,” Jackson remembered. “And Emilio pulled me to the side and was like, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ And I was like ‘What do you mean?’ ”

“ ‘Don’t ever, ever do that again. Why do you think you get to go out there and skate in front of all of these people? This is who keeps you employed. Do not ever forget who it is that you’re here for,’ ” Jackson remembered his costar saying.

The Cast of ‘D2: The Mighty Ducks’ in 1994.Courtesy Everett Collection

Shields called Estevez’s advice “brilliant,” adding, “My mom used to say, ‘Every person is one person.’ And that relationship is just between you and them and you have to respect it.”

Jackson said, “It was a really important reframing for my 15-year-old self [to be like], ‘Just remember who you are and what’s important.’ ” Shields added that the fact that Jackson “took” the advice was a “huge testament” to who he was as a person.

The Mighty Ducksfranchise also starredKenan Thompson, Marguerite Moreau, Elden Henson and Jussie Smollett. Estevez reprised his role as Bombay in the first season of the 2021 Disney+ seriesMighty Ducks: Game Changers.

Jackson ultimately transitioned into older roles with his part as Pacey onDawson’s Creek, which he starred in from 1998 to 2003. He also starred in 1999’sCruel Intentions.

Joshua Jackson on March 2, 2025.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Jackson currently stars in ABC’sDoctor Odysseyas Dr. Max Bankman. “It’s the first time in a very long time that I’m playing a pretty uncomplicated guy,“he told PEOPLE in September 2024.“He is a good doctor and a good man trying to figure out his life.”

“But really, what the show [is], it’s not about heavy, dramatic backstory. It’s not about secret drug addiction or affairs. It’s a fun, sexy, beautiful, fast-pacedRyan Murphyfantasy,” he explained.

Doctor Odysseyairs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and next day on Hulu.

source: people.com