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

Is Curtis Taylor Jr producing this?

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

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.

The Variety story said he's not doing it.

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

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