Et tu, Hugh: Jackman bails on 'Cleo'

'Australia' star won't do Cleopatra musical with Steven Soderbergh and Catherine Zeta-Jones

By HitFix Staff Friday, Jan 2, 2009 6:58 AM

Hugh Jackman

Credit: Kathy Willens/AP

You remember that wacky sounding 3-D live action Cleopatra musical from Steven Soderbergh, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hugh Jackman? Well, scratch that last part.

According to Variety, Jackman has removed his name from discussions for the $30 million "Cleo," which is still completing its financing. Jackman had been attached to the project as Roman general Mark Antony, with Zeta-Jones as Cleopatra.

[Actually, to be fair, the Variety story says Jackman would have played "Marc Antony," half military leader, half J-Lo spouse.]

Inside Analysis

"Scheduling Conflicts"? That's a convenient excuse for "time to get the career back on track."

Case in point, Jackman hasn't starred in a live-action hit since 2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand" ("Happy Feet" doesn't count). "Australia" will barely get into the black (perhaps sometime in the next decade) and "Deception," "Scoop," "The Prestige" and "The Fountain" were all risky, creative endeavors that failed at the box office. So, with another potential hit in this May's "Wolverine," geez, that period 3D musical isn't looking so appealing as a follow up is it?

Granted, if "Australia" had proved Jackman was a true leading man who could open a movie, jumping on board the Soderbergh train would be acceptable. At this point, look for Jackman to follow "Wolverine" up with a safe thriller or romantic comedy with clear revenue potential. Something tells me Renee Zellweger and a number of other career stalled actresses are game to join him.

- Gregory Ellwood

Neither actor had been formally signed.

The trade paper speculates that the ever-popular "scheduling conflicts" may be behind Jackman's departure, though the actor hasn't committed to any films awaiting production.. Most recently seen in the Baz Lurhmann-directed box office disappointment "Australia," Jackman is getting ready to host the Oscars in February, before shifting back into promotional gear for the May release of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Since "Cleo" may be the next project for the always industrious Soderbergh, the director has already reportedly begun discussions with Ray Winstone ("Beowulf," "The Proposition") to play Antony.

It's unclear if Jackman's departure will have any impact on Zeta-Jones' commitment to this reunion with her "Traffic" director.

Although it recounts a classic love story, "Cleo" will be modernized through songs written by indie rock icons Guided by Voices (in some form at least).

Former GbV bassist James Greer wrote the "Cleo" script.