Zeta-Jones to Star in Soderbergh's 3-D Cleopatra Movie Musical; Jackman in Talks

By Andrew Gans
October 27, 2008

Academy Award winner Catherine Zeta-Jones will star in director Steven Soderbergh's first movie musical, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Cleo," a 3-D rock-n-roll musical about the life of Cleopatra, will feature music by Guided by Voices and a script by James Greer, who formerly played bass for the indie rock band. Zeta-Jones will star in the title role; Tony winner Hugh Jackman is currently in negotiations to play her lover, Marc Antony.

Greg Jacobs is producing the film with Casey Silver, according to Variety.

Soderbergh is also preparing a new film based on the life of Liberace. With a script by Richard LaGravanese, the motion picture will star Michael Douglas as the late pianist and Matt Damon as the lover who sued him for palimony. Soderbergh's other upcoming films include "Che" (with Benicio Del Toro), "The Informant" (with Matt Damon) and "The Girlfriend Experience" (with Sasha Grey).

Born in Wales, Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the West End production of 42nd Street before landing a role in the hit Yorkshire TV program "The Darling Buds of May." She received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in "Traffic," and her other screen credits include roles in "Ocean's Twelve," "America's Sweethearts," "The Mask of Zorro" and "Entrapment." Zeta-Jones was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her work as Velma Kelly in the Rob Marshall-directed "Chicago."

Hugh Jackman received a Tony Award for his portrayal of the late Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. He received an Olivier Award nomination for his work in the London revival of Oklahoma! and an MO Award for his performance as Joe Gillis in the Australian production of Sunset Boulevard. Jackman's film credits include "Scoop," "The X-Men," "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold" (Golden Globe nomination), "Van Helsing," "The Prestige" and "The Fountain."