Zeta-Jones to Star in New Musical "Cleo" as Cleopatra- Page 2

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:20am

Where are you people getting that they are using rock music?

[kissmeimirish]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 2:03pm

Is Curtis Taylor Jr producing this?

[StockardFan]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 2:08pm

I would say I'm morbidly curious as well......

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:08pm

Jackman's not doing it, per Variety.

**Hugh Jackman off 'Cleo' wishlist
Exit may be attributed to scheduling conflicts
By MICHAEL FLEMING

Hugh Jackman has removed himself from discussions to star with Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Cleo," a 3-D live action musical which Steven Soderbergh will direct as his next project.

No deal had been signed as the ambitious $30 million project is completing its financing, but Soderbergh asked his "Traffic" star Zeta-Jones to play Cleopatra and wanted new Oscar host Jackman to play her lover, the Roman general Marc Antony.

Discussions are reportedly in the works for the role of Julius Caesar to be played by Ray Winstone, the "Beowulf" star who just completed shooting the Martin Campbell-directed "Edge of Darkness" with Mel Gibson.

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.

Jackman's exit is attributed by insiders to scheduling conflicts, though it is not clear what other project is on his plate.

Jackman, who's coming off the Baz Luhrmann-directed "Australia," next hosts the Academy Awards in February, and then reprises the lead in the Gavin Hood-directed "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Jackman Off Cleo

[JP2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:27pm

Aw

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:41pm

I just listened to an interview Hugh did with BBC Radio that aired on Boxing Day (I'm sure it wasn't live) and he mentioned Cleo and he was "trying to work it out" - and he also mentioned that Justin Timberlake was in the cast - that's a little fact that hasn't been announced yet.

I hope his "scheduling conflict" isn't just Wolverine promotion (that comes out on May 1 and he will be promoting that in April, right around when Soderbergh wanted to start filming) and he has something else coming up that hasn't been announced yet.

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:51pm

This sounds like a crazy show, but I know I'll be there opening day. Hopefully Hugh will be in it.

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:57pm

The Variety story said he's not doing it.

[jo]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 10:39pm

Hugh fans would still like him to be in a movie musical, soon!

Maybe CLEO was not exactly the right vehicle to show off his triple-threat musical theatre talent? I hope that his new association with Bill Condon ( screenwriter for CHICAGO, producer/director for DREAMGIRLS and new producer for the OSCARs) can produce a new movie musical project together.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 3:19am

Ok...if it's a musical, I would much rather see it onstage (I think Zeta-Jones as Cleo is pretty well cast). A musical movie...? Not sure if it will be as appealing as just a straight film. I don't think this material, on film, would translate well as a musical. Sorry, MHO =I

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 12:10pm

Honestly, I can't really see a Cleopatra movie with rock 'n' roll/Elvis-style music.

[Plum]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 1:21pm

As long as we're indulging in wishful thinking, I hope he does a play instead.