Just weeks after Russell Crowe dropped out of writer-director Baz
Luhrmann's untitled period epic, fellow Australian Hugh Jackman has
signed on to replace the mercurial star.
Jackman will star opposite Nicole Kidman in the 20th Century Fox
romantic action-adventure set in northern Australia before World War II.
The film centers on an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits a ranch
the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land,
she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle driver (Jackman)
to drive 2,000 head of cattle across the country's most unforgiving
landscape, only to face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese
forces.
The Tony Award-winning actor ("The Boy From Oz") enjoys a solid
relationship with Fox, coming off the boxoffice success of "X-Men: The Last
Stand," in which he reprised his role as Wolverine. Jackman also is
attached to star in the studio's thriller "The Tourist."
"He just continues to astound in terms of his range, whether it's
'Boy From Oz' or Wolverine," Luhrmann said in an interview. "He's
always been a leading man, but he is moving toward being an iconic
leading man, which is perfect for the story we're doing."
After news leaked that Crowe was dropping out because of differences
with the studio, the project appeared to be in jeopardy. Several
names, including Heath Ledger, surfaced as a replacement.
Luhrmann said Ledger is still a possibility, but for the film's
third lead.
Luhrmann also said he expects to work again with his friend Crowe.
"I know that Russell and I want to work together. The question is on
what," he said. "Working with Russell in the future is something that I
definitely look forward to doing."
Jackman's upcoming films include Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain,"
Woody Allen's "Scoop" and Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige."
Luhrmann's film begins preproduction in October and shooting starts in
Australia in February.
Jackson is repped by Endeavor.
Wed, 07 Jun 2006
NEWS
Hugh replaces Russell as Nic's love
iAfrica.com
Hugh Jackman, currently riding high after the success of 'X-Men: The Last Stand', has signed on for director Baz Luhrmann's new film, replacing Russell Crowe.
Crowe dropped out of the historic epic, co-starring Nicole Kidman, a few weeks ago and was previously reported to have been replaced by Heath Ledger.
Now, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Jackman is to star in the action-adventure romance, set in pre-World War II Australia.
"He just continues to astound in terms of his range, whether it's [the Tony-winning musical] 'Boy From Oz' or Wolverine," Luhrmann said.
"He's always been a leading man, but he is moving toward being an iconic leading man, which is perfect for the story we're doing."
That story focuses on an English aristocrat, played by Kidman, who inherits a massive ranch, only to be faced with English cattle barons who plan to claim her land.
Against her initial wishes she teams up with a rough-around-the-edges cattle driver, played by Jackman, to drive 2000 cattle across the rugged Australian terrain.
To make matters worse, the town of Darwin is bombed by Japanese forces.
Apart from the two main characters, a third lead will appear as a rival for the aristocrat's land and feelings.
The third leading actor will be named shortly and, according to Luhrmann, may be Ledger, who turned down the role taken by Jackman.
The director, responsible for films like 'Moulin Rouge' and 'William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet', added that Crowe's departure from the project was amicable.
"I know that Russell and I want to work together. The question is on what," Luhrmann said of his friend. "Working with Russell in the future is something that I definitely look forward to doing."
But first the director will be busy with the as yet untitled epic, which enters pre-production in October, with filming scheduled to start in February 2007.
Jackman will next be seen in 'The Fountain', alongside Rachel Weisz, Woody Allen's 'Scoop', with Scarlett Johanssen, and 'The Prestige' from 'Batman Begins' director Christopher Nolan.