Hugh Jackman and Steven Spielberg find 'Real Steel'

Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider's DreamWorks is back in business. With $825 million in financing secured, the independent studio/production company -- call it what you will -- has greenlit their first film since leaving Paramount Pictures and teaming up with the Walt Disney Company.  And smartly, they are teaming up with one of Hollywood's biggest stars to ensure it's success.

Based on Richard Matheson's short story, DreamWorks' "Real Steel" will find Hugh Jackman as a former fighter who has to find a new career when robots replace human boxers.  Reinventing himself as a Robot Boxing promoter, he discovers a little used robot who always seems to win. The film also features a storyline where Jackman's character meets his previously unknown 11-year-old son and they "bond" as the underdog robot fights to a potential championship. 

"Real Steel" is one of 17 projects Spielberg and Snider gained control of after their split from Paramount in 2008.  Paramount has the right to join the film as a co-financier, but that studio may have other monetary considerations to worry about.

Variety reports the $80 million budgeted feature will be directed by Shawn Levy ("Night at the Museum") and will begin shooting this June.  Spielberg and Snider will produce.

Jackman's next release will be Neil Marshall's thriller "Drive."  He's also expected to shoot "Unbound Captives" alongside Rachel Weisz and Robert Pattinson early next year.