Hugh Jackman Wants To Star In A Musical With Beyonce Knowles

From: icelebz.com

Hugh Jackman wants to star in a musical with Beyonce Knowles. The "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" actor teamed up with Beyonce at this year's Oscars, where they performed a dazzling musical medley, and Hugh is keen to work with her again.

He said: "Me and Beyonce. I will do anything. I am the one talking up all those rumors."

The actor also revealed he would like the musical to be directed by Baz Luhrmann, the man behind "Moulin Rouge!" and "Australia," which Hugh starred in alongside Nicole Kidman.

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old heartthrob says he was shocked at the success of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and feels privileged to have starred in it.

Talking about the movie, which has so far taken $175 million at the worldwide box office, Hugh told U.S. TV show "Extra": "I was blown away. I was so grateful to the fans and to everybody who came out in force and seemed to love the movie. I just want to say thank you to them. I love my job. I feel like the luckiest guy. Don't tell, but I'd do it for free!"

Jackman Plans Carousel Trip with Oscars Partner Hathaway

From: contactmusic.com

HUGH JACKMAN is trying to persuade his Oscars dancing partner ANNE HATHAWAY to join him on the CAROUSEL.
The Aussie star has developed a script for the beloved Stephen Sondheim musical and he wants Hathaway to play Julie Jordan opposite his Billy Bigelow.
He says, "I've been looking to do a musical film for some time and after things like Moulin Rouge!, Chicago and Hairspray, I think there's a real opportunity there."
And he's clear only Hathaway will do as his leading lady: "I've been filling up her answering machine with messages about Carousel."
Hathaway, who joined Jackman for a song and dance at the Oscars, is about to embark on her own musical journey - she will star in a new theatre and film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz star Judy Garland's life.

Video: Performances at 2009 Oscars

From: AceShowbiz.com

At the 81st Annual Academy Awards, Hugh Jackman sang with Beyonce Knowles, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper in addition to sharing stage with Anne Hathaway.

Star-studded performances at this year's Academy Awards taking place on February 22 in Hollywood, California have been made available to watch through a newly-found video footage. The show's host Hugh Jackman brought Beyonce Knowles, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and many others to the stage of Kodak Theatre for a musical set.

Taking the stage in a suit and a top hat, Jackman said, "You're probably wondering why I'm wearing a suit. Well, something truly remarkable happening here. Something we thought never happened in our live times." He then continued with singing and dancing alongside a bunch of hunks and when he shouted, "Wait a minute, something is missing," Knowles appeared and joined him in the song-and-dance routine.

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A Dose of Deference and Earnest Showbiz

By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Published: February 23, 2009
Hugh Jackman was a shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/movies/awardsseason/23watch.html

Hugh calls Ricky Gervais for Oscar tips.

Hugh Jackman has been calling Ricky Gervais to get help with jokes for the Oscar ceremony.

An excerp from Ricky's blog:
Hugh Jackman called me again for another brainstorming session about the Oscars. He called me out of the blue a couple of weeks ago and said he wanted me to write some gags for him. We've spoken a few times and we've come up with some funny ideas I think. It's difficult for me because it's so mainstream, and 90% of everything that comes into my head is unsuitable. He's great though. He seems to have no ego at all. Nice bloke. Hope he does well.

http://www.rickygervais.com

Why Hugh Jackman is a perfect choice as Oscars host

From: The Envelope
"Gold Derby by Tom O'Neil"

Yikes, I'm late piping in about the crowning of Hugh Jackman as Oscars host. My response: Huzzah!

What makes the choice of Hugh Jackman such a royal treat is that he's teamed up with another reigning showman, producer Bill Condon, who adapted best picture "Chicago" to the screen from Broadway, directed the spectacular, but Oscars-gypped "Dreamgirls" (Bill will get his delicious revenge by saving the Oscarcast next February — ha!) and won a chunk of academy gold for writing the screenplay to "Gods and Monsters."

Finally, academy chiefs have put the ceremony back in the hands of folks who really know how to dazzle and wow on screen and stage. Let's hope the academy never again wastes our time by hauling in another rent-a-clown from New York who doesn't know the movie biz. Why have the Oscars recently thought Hollywood's holy of holies was a stand-up comedy riff? Just because some past, great Oscar hosts knew how to tell jokes? The greatest — Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg — were either movie insiders with a big heart and mischievous wink or else at least Hollywood royals (Johnny Carson). That's the secret recipe. There's good reason that David Letterman, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart flopped. Those New York jokers are aces at what they do, sure, but they were miscast presiding over Hollywood's family reunion.

Bill Condon and Hugh Jackman are perfectly cast. Bill's a crazed Oscar nut like you and me. He can tell you which film won the most Oscars without taking the best picture prize ("Cabaret" with eight) and where poor Judy Garland ("A Star Is Born") was when she got robbed by Grace Kelly ("The Country Girl") in the best actress shockeroo of 1954. (Judy was in the hospital having her son Joey — but, of course, you knew that too.) Bill knows the ceremonies intimately too: what worked (Billy Crystal's wacky film montages, Liza Minnelli crooning that socko Oscarcast intro) and what didn't (Rob Lowe warbling "Proud Mary" with Snow White).

Whatever Bill and his producing partner Laurence Mark plus brilliantly bonkers writers like Bruce Vilanch cook up, Jackman will know how to sell it with gusto on stage. That's what the "Sexiest Man Alive" knows how to do best.

Jackman hosted the Tony Awards in 2003, 2004 and 2005, garnering bravura reviews. He won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 2004 Tonycast. He was nominated again in 2006 for emceeing the 2005 Tonys show, but, alas, lost the prize for best individual performance in a variety, musical or comedy program to Barry Manilow. (Doesn't everyone? Right, Stephen Colbert?)

In the opening number of the 2004 Tonycast, Jackman no doubt got Condon and Mark's attention when he sang a special version of "One Night Only" from the 1982 Tony-nominated musical "Dreamgirls" — Ha!

Hugh Jackman to host new-look Oscars

From: YahooNews
Written by: Sandy Cohen.

LOS ANGELES – Hugh Jackman will host the 81st annual Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Friday.

The 40-year-old Australian actor, recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004. He was also nominated as host of the 2005 Tonys.

Jackman, who first claimed fame as Wolverine in the "X-Men" movie franchise, recently starred in Baz Luhrmann's romantic adventure film "Australia" with Nicole Kidman. He was out of the country Friday for a world promotional tour for the film and was not immediately available for comment, his representative Alan Nierob said.

He's never been an Oscar nominee, but was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in 2001's romantic film "Kate & Leopold." His other movie credits include 2006's "The Prestige" and 2004's "Van Helsing."

With new producers, a new set director and even a new music director, the Academy has been hinting at an all new look and feel for this year's Oscars telecast on Feb. 22.

Jackman's selection is a departure from the Academy's standard of big-name comedians. Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," hosted the ceremony in 2008 and 2006; Ellen DeGeneres was the 2007 host. Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg have also hosted the show in recent years.