Jackman Won't Join Zeta-Jones for Soderbergh's "Cleo"

By Andrew Gans
January 2, 2009

Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman, currently on screens across the country in "Australia," is no longer in discussions to co-star with Catherine Zeta-Jones in Steven Soderbergh's 3-D live action musical "Cleo."

Variety reports that Jackman, who had been in talks to play Roman general Marc Antony, has withdrawn from negotiations because of schedule conflicts. Jackman was recently named as the host of the upcoming Academy Awards.

As previously reported, "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. The industry paper reports that "Beowulf" star Ray Winstone may play Julius Caesar.

Greg Jacobs is producing the film with Casey Silver.

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."