Hugh Jackman Drops Potential Cleopatra Musical

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 (Daily Variety, October 24, 2008).

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[lmvd3]

Silly me. I pictured Cleopatra as a woman.

[Culturemaven]

Perhaps he didn't want to make an asp of himself.

[CKieffer]

*heh*

[hmmmmmer]

I just saw Australia tonight and it was wonderful, it is too bad that so many others chose not to see it because of bad publicity, it really was one good epic.

As far as Cleo, I can't think of anything more atrocious as that being put to music. I was a good career choice not to be in it.

[klondiker]

A Cleopatra musical?? Dear god - I cannot think of a worse idea for a movie. But, then again, Steven Soderbergh is directing, which might make be interesting...

[babsboon]

I can't think anything more inclined to flop than a musical version of Cleopatra.

[lmvd3]

Thank God! Why does this guy do musicals???

[robiform]

Maybe because he can SING???!! Jackman's acting career got started in musical theater, so that's why he does musicals!

[Swerinjer4]

why? because of mercury poisoning? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Judyisacutie]

In 2008, Hollywood still insists on having a white woman or a Latina play a North African Egyptian. The historical record says she was a black woman, but Hollywood still perpetuates miseducation and makes her white. Are there no Arab actresses or black actresses they could find?

[CKieffer]

Since people are not literally black or white, it should be noted that there were variations in skin color in ancient Egypt and if you think Cleopatra was black or even dark-skinned, you should take a trip over there to educate yourself.

Meanwhile, I do not disagree with you that Hollywood has a warped view but that should hardly surprise us nor do I know many people who use Hollywood as their point of reference when discussing history.

[marymansour]

Having lived in Egypt for more than 20 years, I can tell you that Egyptians range in color from very dark to very light skins. The average would be a deep olive complexion with dark curly hair and eyes.

[CKieffer]

Hey you! Happy New Year!

HC and AA must be away for the holidays.

[trudem2]

Too bad he's dropping out. Sounds like a winning combination.

[mexamerican]

damn. i was really looking forward to another crappy musical.

[kainen]

WHEN WILL A WOMAN OF COLOUR GET THE ROLE OF CLEOPATRA?

[cantstopme2019]

Never. Rac ism still lives on.

[LeftLeanWing]

Cleopatra was of Greek descent (Ptolemy)

[Judyisacutie]

No she wasn't. She was of black Egyptian descent.

[Judyisacutie]

Her mother was a Nubian concubine.