The Aussie actor is currently in Shanghai to shoot scenes for director Wayne Wang’s Snow Flower And The Secret Fan, in which his character breaks into song in Chinese, and joked his pronunciation was lost on the movie’s producer Wendi Murdoch, who is Chinese-born.

“I sang it and the very first couple of syllables she was like, ‘great,’ and then gradually she said like, ‘what?’” he said.

“But I think I got at least one take,” he laughed.

The movie is based on Lisa See’s novel by the same name, which follows the friendship of two women in 1800s China.
Source: The Press Association

“Hopefully next is a movie with Ryan Gosling at a studio in America. It’s called Drive, and it’s about a stuntman by day, a getaway driver by night.” When we followed up, he said that that central character was Ryan Gosling’s part, and that it’s set in LA. So far, so no big shock – but last we heard about Drive, Hugh Jackman was lined up to star in it, and Neil Marshall was looking at directing.

Still, the project, based on James Sallis’ novel, hasn’t moved very far since 2008, so it could be that a new star and director will get it moving again. After the success of the low budget Bronson, and after displaying a flair for violence in the almost dreamlike Valhalla Rising, this could be a good fit.
Source: Empire Online

In the action film, Jackman plays an ex-fighter who becomes a promoter when human boxing is outlawed for being too violent. In their place are 2000-pound fighting robots with human qualities. Unable to adequately compete in Robot Boxing, the character instead focuses on a discarded robot that always seems to win. Meanwhile, he also learns that he is the father of a 13-year old son, and they bond as the robot fights its way toward the top (this is Hollywood, of course).

For additional information on the open call, including steps to submit an audition online, visit http://www.realsteelcasting.com/.

‘Real Steel,’ was originally written by Dan Gilroy, but has been rewritten by Les Bohem and John Gatins. The movie is being produced by Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford. The executive producers are Steven Spielberg and ImageMovers troika Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey. Shawn Levy, who signed on just a few weeks ago is also a producer. His recent projects include the Fox comedy “Date Night” with Steve Carell and Tina Fey.

Hugh Jackman won a 2004 Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards for Best Actor in a musical for his portrayal of the 1970s singer-songwriter Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. Previous theater credits include Carousel at Carnegie Hall, Oklahoma! at the National Theater in London (Olivier Award nomination), Sunset Boulevard (MO Award – Australia’s Tony Award) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (MO Award nomination). From 2003 through 2005 he hosted the Tony Awards, winning a 2004 Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program. Most Recently, Jackman starred on Broadway in ‘A Steady Rain’ opposite Daniel Craig in the fall of 2009.

On screen, Jackman made his first major U.S. film appearance as Wolverine in the first installment of the X-Men franchise, a role he reprised in the enormously successful X2 and 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. Most recently, he reprised his role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine which serves as a prequel to the popular series and grossed an outstanding $85 million domestically in its first weekend of release in May 2009. In late 2008, Jackman appeared in 20th Century Fox’s romantic action-adventure epic Australia directed by Baz Luhrmann. Additional film credits include Deception opposite Ewan McGregor under the banner of his own Production Company, Seed Productions, The Fountain, The Prestige, and Woody Allen’s Scoop. In addition, he lent his voice to the animated features Happy Feet and Flushed Away. Other leading roles include Someone Like You, Swordfish, Van Helsing, and Kate and Leopold, for which he received a 2002 Golden Globe nomination.
Source: Broadway World

The 42-year-old actor will join South Korean starlet Jeon Ji-Hyunand and actress Li Bingbing from Chinese mainland to take the leading roles in the film directed by Chinese-American filmmaker Wayne Wang.

The film, co-produced by Wendi Murdoch and Florence Sloan has kicked off yesterday in Hengdian, a large film studio in Zhejiang Province.

Wendi Murdoch is the wife of News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch. Florence Sloan, a Malaysian-Chinese, is married to MGM chairman Harry Sloan.Li.

The film, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is adapted from novelist Lisa See’s 2005 book of the same name depicting how two isolated women at that time found lifetime love through secretly writing poets on fans and embroideries.

Jackman, known from his role as Wolverine in the X-Men series, expected to arrive in Hengdian in mid-February to play.

Source: Shanghai Daily

The announcements are to air on television stations and social media platforms in the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada and other countries where the aid group is fundraising for its Haiti response.

“The earthquake in Haiti left thousands of children homeless and vulnerable,” Jackman said in one of the statements. “World Vision aid workers have been rushing life-saving relief to survivors. Join me in standing with the people of Haiti.”

World Vision said it began distributing relief supplies less than 24 hours after Haiti’s 7-magnitude earthquake struck Jan. 12. The organization said it is distributing food and supplies, supporting medical efforts and encouraging the protection of children following the crisis. As many as 200,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the earthquake.

Donations can be made online at www.worldvision.org or by phone at 888-56-CHILD.

World Vision also has set up an SMS text giving option. Texting “GIVE” or “WORLD” to 20222 will make a $10 donation to World Vision’s Haiti relief fund.

Jackman is best known for his work in the “X-Men” blockbusters.
Source: UPI

You’ll remember director Shawn Levy from his work on Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum, and the third-best Frankie Muniz movie ever, Big Fat Liar. This flick will be a departure into more dramatic (though still family-friendly) territory for him…or, at least, that’s the plan. But honestly, seeing words like “drama” and “robot boxing” in the same sentence, along with a title like Real Steel, makes it sound pretty damn funny to me…which, I suppose, would also represent a change of pace for Levy.
Source: Collider.com

I also uploaded some high quality candids of Hugh arriving at and leaving a gym in NYC.

GALLERY LINKS:
• Candids from 2010 – 01-20 – In New York [HQ]

Jackman, who also played the rugged stockman Drover opposite Nicole Kidman in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, has signed a three-year deal to front a multimillion-pound campaign, the first he has starred in outside his native Australia.

The European marketing director for Lipton Ice Tea, Francois Bazini, said that it was Jackman’s singing and dancing performance as a host at last year’s Academy Awards that convinced the company to sign him up.

“He has a great personality liked by men and women,” said Bazini. “He is very different from many other actors. He is a true entertainer who can dance, sing and act. We will use all of his skills.”

Lipton Ice Tea, which is owned by PepsiCo and Unilever, used celebrities in its TV advertising during the 1980s and early 1990s, including Tom Selleck, when he was at the height of his fame from Magnum PI, Sylvester Stallone in Rocky-style ads for the US and the tennis star Jimmy Connors. But the brand has not used a “face”, according to Bazini, since 2002, when Eric Cantona fronted a campaign across Europe.

Two Lipton ads featuring Jackman are now being shot in Brazil, for a worldwide launch in March.

They are the work of the agency DDB Paris, and aim to position Lipton as a positive, guilt-free, optimistic drink.

Jackman was quoted as saying: “I’m delighted with my new role as the Lipton Ice Tea ambassador, which is a totally new experience for me, so it’s very exciting.

“Lipton Ice Tea is a really positive brand and its values match those that are important in my life, so I can’t wait to get started on all our plans.”
Source: Guardian.co.uk

Damon and Pitt will join the likes of Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Hugo Weaving in the movie. The 2006 hit movie was the story of a tap dancing penguin named Mumble (Elijah Wood).

Happy Feet 2 will be in theatres on November 18, 2011.
Source: Empire Movies

Filming the spot for Lipton Iced Tea, the 41-year-old Aussie actor has been accompanied on the overseas trip by wife Deborra-Lee Furness and their children, Oscar and Ava.

The work duties come not long after Jackman signed a three-year deal with Lipton Ice Tea to become its global brand ambassador.

According to press reports, the global TV campaign will be launching in March 2010 – with the ad featuring Jackman using the catch line “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it”.
Source: Celebrity Gossip

GALLERY LINKS:
• Candids from 2010 – 01-11 – Filming a Lipton Tea Commercial in Rio De Janeiro [HQ]

Charitybuzz gives you the opportunity to give your special someone a wonderful vacation to be remembered (all while doing good!) by bidding at www.charitybuzz.com/valentines from January 13 to February 10.

You know him as a talented actor, dancer, singer, producer, “Sexiest Man Alive,” fabulous awards show host, Broadway star (what can’t he do?)…now meet Hugh Jackman as you and a guest spend the day on the set of Real Steel in Michigan in summer 2010.

Executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Real Steel will be directed by Shawn Levy (The Night at the Museum series, Pink Panther, Big Fat Liar, as well as other hits).

Hugh Jackman has starred in a long list of hit films, including Australia, X-Men, The Prestige, Scoop, The Fountain, and more. His combination of talent and sexiness ensures success every time. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you and a guest.

The proceeds for this item benefit Muse Elementary School

Source: Luxury Travel Magazine