Variety reports that Disney has signed a nonexclusive deal with the Tony-winning actor to develop several movie musicals. Jackman will co-produce and star in each. Jackman's producing partners include John Palermo, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Zadan and Meron were the producers of the hit "Chicago" film and are currently working on the musical film of "Hairspray." Jackman, now filming "The Fountain," told the industry paper, "I'm lucky that at the time my career in movies was building, the movie musicals genre that had been in the desert for 20 years started to come back. . . . As an art form, the musical is Mount Everest. Tough to pull off, but exhilarating and timeless when it works. And when it is done badly, it stinks to high heaven."

Jackman's movie deal could include a remake of a classic musical. About that prospect, the actor told Variety, "There might be a classic out there that can be redone and find an audience, but I am personally more interested in finding something new."

Jackman, who scored raves and a Tony Award for his performance in Broadway's The Boy From Oz, will also partner with Palermo to produce the third installment of "X-Men" plus a spinoff feature of "Wolverine."