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Hugh Jackman Steps Out of Steven Soderbergh's Cleo

by Alex Billington
January 2, 2009

Remember that wacky live-action 3-D Cleopatra musical that Steven Soderbergh was putting together? When we first announced it, Catherine Zeta-Jones was going to star as Cleopatra and Hugh Jackman as her lover Marc Antony. Well, with the upcoming Oscars, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and even Guardians of Ga'Hoole, it looks like Jackman will no longer be able to dedicate the time to shoot Cleo, as it's being called, anymore. Variety has confirmed that he is no longer involved with the project, although a replacement hasn't been found just yet. Ray Winstone, however, has been confirmed as Julius Caesar.

Soderbergh is still looking for financing to get the $30 million project entirely off the ground. Soderbergh has said he wants to inject the famous historical love story with rock n' roll songs and a style akin to an Elvis musical. The music was written by the indie rock band Guided by Voices, and the script is by the group's former bass player, James Greer, who is also an author. For whatever reasons, I'm not turned off by this whole idea, which might have something to do with my appreciation for Soderbergh, but without Jackman, they'll need to find a damn good replacement, since his Broadway past was the biggest positive factor.

Filed under Casting, Movie News

From around the web:

Fisherr

Sadly Jackman wont continue with Cleo project although can't wait for X-Men Origins:Wolverine My favorite comic book character ever.
Angelo

My favorite actor as Julius Caesar? Oh, hell yeah.
harrison

so are they going for the "knights tale" approach with the music? personally didnt like it in that movie but maybe after i see a trailer
dan

a "live-action, 3-D, cleopatra musical starring catherine zeta jones"?? excuse me, while i go THROW UP!!
http://iconocritic.com peloquin

This sounds epic... ...epically terrible that is
Conrad

This truly sounds retarded with or without Jackman. Alex, you're actually not bashing this idea? Usually anytime there is talk of an upcoming 3-D picture you're on board with tossing it over - except for Avatar...
mishkabelle

It would have been great with Jackman...Maybe without CZJ. My god has she not had her day? Ok thats a bit harsh...her ability to pull off a musical would have been vastly overshadowed by Jackman's professionalism.
Marilyn

Depends on the music. Hugh and Beyonce did well together at the Oscars -- if Soderbergh could afford both of them.. Hugh can do anything, he is so classy and professional, there is just not another quite as good at EVERYTHING ....
Richard Choffe

Hugh Jackman as the young Liberace ? YEEEEEEEEEESS WHY NOT ? ! ! ! ! ! Robin Williams as Seymour Heller, Liberace's manager ? YES ! YES ! ! YEEEEEEEEEEESS DYNAMIGHTY ! ! ! ! ! Gary Sinise as George, Liberace's brother ? SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK ! ! ! ! ! Kathy Bates as Frances, Liberace's mother ? SOOOOOOOOOOOO INTENSELY INTERESTING ! ! ! ! ! Kirk Douglas as Salvatore, Liberace's father ? WHY THE HELL NOT ? ! ! ! ! ! Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley ? I almost thought he WAS Elvis ? ! ! ! ! ! Matt Damon as Scott Thorson ? Matt could even do........... "The Elton John Story", if he ever wanted to ! ! ! ! ! Michael Douglas as Liberace ? Michael + all the above = +++Oscar$ ! ! ! ! !