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X-Men star Hugh Jackman is no longer in discussions to star in 3D live action musical Cleo, reports Variety. His departure is being blamed on scheduling conflicts by insiders.

The film is also reported to star Catherine Zeta-Jones, though none of the cast has officially been signed as of yet. Zeta-Jones has been asked to play Cleopatra, with discussions underway with Ray Winstone for the role of Julius Caesar. Jackman was to play Roman general Marc Antony; no replacement has been announced yet.

Steven Soderberg is directing the $30 million project.

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Hugh Jackman has bowed out of Steven Soderbergh’s Cleo, a 3-D live action musical due to schedule conflicts.  Jackman will be hosting the Oscars this February, and then his X-Men Origins: Wolverine sequel will be in the movie theaters.

Soderbergh is also negotiating with Catherine Zeta-Jones to play Cleopatra while Ray Winstone might play Julius Caesar.   

According to Variety, 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.

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