'X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE' WORLD PREMIERE

Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Liev Schrieber, Lynn Collins
& Will.i.am

WORLD PREMIERE OF X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE
(Photo: Mike Moore/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)


X-Marks The Spot

Hugh Jackman challenged X-Men fans across the US to be "the first to witness the origins" by winning the World Premiere of 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' for their hometown. . .

Following a hard-fought contest stretching over thousands of towns across the US, the Sunbelt city of Tempe Arizona emerged triumphant in nabbing the Twentieth Century Fox X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE World Premiere on Monday, April 27th.

Hugh Jackman and his "friends and enemies" from the film attended a Bells & Whistles Red Carpet Premiere at the Harkin's Theatres Marketplace.

Guests in attendance included: Live Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Will.i.am, Taylor Kitch, Lynn Collins, and director Gavin Hood.

Celebrity guests included Shaquille O'Neal, Matt Leinart, Alice Cooper and Todd MacFarlane.

Actor Hugh Jackman arrives in style
World Premiere of X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE
(Photo: Mike Moore/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

Actor Hugh Jackman signs autographs for the fans before the preem
(Photo: Mike Moore/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

Musician Alice Cooper
(Photo: Mike Moore/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

Musician Will.i.am
(Photo: Mike Moore/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, the first chapter in the X-Men saga, unites Wolverine with several other legends of the X-Men universe, in an epic revolution that pits the mutants against powerful forces determined to eliminate them.

FRIDAY MAY 1, 2009

Jackman to star in Bdwy 'HOUDINI' and Big Screen 'CAROUSEL' Remake

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Hugh Jackman, has "revealed" to Sydney's Daily Telegraph that he is working to "reappear" on Broadway in the original musical, Houdini in the spring of 2010.

His production company has been working on two musicals - one for the stage and one for the screen. "I'm really working heavily on a movie version of Carousel , a remake of that," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"For two years we've been trying to find a way to make it relevant and not feel old-fashioned and I think we've finally done that. "On stage we're working on a musical version of the life of Houdini.

"We've been working on that for about a year and we'll probably go to Broadway when we're finished. "But it'll be at least a year away."

Jackman described his fascination with the famous magician to the Telegraph stating, "He was a showman basically. He was probably the first rock star. A master manipulator of the media and a showman through and through."

While Jackman has been seen out and about in New York, most recently at several Broadway openings, his real reason for being in town revealed FOX News a number of weeks back, is the early creative rehearsals of the Harry Houdini musical. Hugh is learning Houdini's magic tricks, tricks that must be reproduced faithfully eight times a week on stage. Sources revealed that Hugh is "already working on magic routines. The show, when it materializes, would include Jackman replicating big Houdini tricks on stage.

Hugh has already played a magician in the movie, "The Prestige," so he's already ahead of the game. Magician extraordinaire Ricky Jay is said to be giving him advice.

Tony Award-winning producer Scott Sanders and Tony- nominated architect/set designer David Rockwell had announced plans to present Houdini, An Original Musical on Broadway in the spring of 2010 a number of months ago. The creative team includes Danny Elfman (music), David Yazbek (lyrics), Kurt Andersen (book), and Jack O'Brien (direction). Houdini, An Original Musical marks the Broadway debuts of Mr. Elfman and Mr. Andersen, and first-time producing debut for Mr. Rockwell, who will also design the sets.

Harry Houdini (1874-1926), one of the world's most famous and stupefying escape artists, was known to constantly up the ante. Throughout his career, the magician seemed capable of outwitting any restraint or obstacle - from handcuffs to jail cells to underwater traps and underground caves to thick walls. The only exception was his inability to satisfy his driving, obsessive quest to challenge the limitations of being human. HOUDINI, An Original Musical ultimately deals with the human yearning for astonishment and miracles-both manmade and supernatural-and the quest to defy death.

Source:BroadwayWorld.com

'Wolverine' Star Hugh Jackman Honoured on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hugh Jackman, star of the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," immortalized his name in Hollywood history on Tuesday by sinking his hand and foot prints into cement outside the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Hugh Jackman shows the cement on his hands during a ceremony
where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of
the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood April 21, 2009
REUTERS/Phil McCarten

On May 1st the Australian actor debuts the new "X-Men Origins" movie, reprising his role as conflicted "mutant" Wolverine, who battles other, evil mutants trying to control the world (see below).

Wolverine has sharp blades that protrude from his knuckles. He is among the most popular of X-Men comic book characters on which the films are based. There have been three "X-Men" movies, and combined they have grossed more than $1.1 billion at global box offices.

Jackman, 40, is known as a versatile actor who has starred in a range of movies from action adventures like "Swordfish" to romances such as last year's "Australia." He has enjoyed a Tony-winning stage career on Broadway and recently hosted Hollywood's Oscars.

Source: Reuters.com

Genre: Action-thriller
Release: May 1
Director: Gavin Hood
Screenplay by: David Benioff and Skip Woods
Producers: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, John Palermo
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, and Ryan Reynolds

X Men Origins: Wolverine; Hugh Jackman as "Wolverine"
PHOTO CREDIT: JAMES FISHER

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, the first chapter in the X-Men saga, unites Wolverine with several other legends of the X-Men universe, in an epic revolution that pits the mutants against powerful forces determined to eliminate them. Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar, as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, adamantium claws, and a primal fury known as berserker rage.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE stays true to the tone of the X-Men motion picture franchise, continuing the films' balance between spectacle and reality, while heightening the emotions and relationships. The film also introduces a team of mutants, including several whose appearances in the movie series have been long anticipated. Movie audiences will meet Team X, a covert military cadre comprised entirely of mutants. Its members are: Wolverine; his brother Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth, a feral being of unimaginable power; Wade Wilson, later to be known as Deadpool, a high-tech mercenary skilled at swordplay; Agent Zero, an expert tracker and lethal marksman; Wraith, a teleporter; Fred J. Dukes, also known as The Blob, a morbidly obese and super-strong behemoth; and Bradley, who can manipulate electricity. Leading them is William Stryker, a figure introduced in "X2" but whose origins and motives are now fully explored, for it is Stryker's complex relationship with Wolverine that defines much of Logan's past ...and future.

Hugh Jackman to Host 81st Academy Awards®

Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards® telecast, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. This will be Jackman’s first time center stage at the Oscar show, although he has previously been a presenter.

“Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star,” said Mark and Condon in a joint statement. “He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year’s movies – and to have fun doing it.”

Jackman stars in the current release “Australia,” directed by Baz Luhrmann. He will next be seen in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” having portrayed the title character in the previous three smash-hit “X-Men” movies. His other film credits include “The Prestige,” “Flushed Away,” “The Fountain,” “Happy Feet,” “Van Helsing,” “Kate & Leopold” and “Swordfish.”

A native of Australia, Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in “The Boy from Oz.” He has served as host of the Tony Awards ceremony and won a 2005 Emmy for that assignment.

Jackman’s other stage credits include “Carousel,” “Oklahoma!” “Sunset Boulevard” and “Beauty and the Beast.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.