Hugh Jackman Drops 'Avon Man' to Appear in 'X-Men Origins' Sequel, 2010

Hugh Jackman has dropped his lead role in "Avon Man" to start shooting the sequel to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," reports Deadline. The film "Avon Man" was originally scheduled to begin shooting in the spring of 2010, but filming was pushed back to October to accommodate Jackman's schedule. Although Jackman will no longer be appearing in the film, he will remain attached to "Avon Man" as a producer along with John Palermo and Gary Forster, and plans to help find a new male lead for the film. The studio hopes to keep the October date for filming and has already begun searching for new actors to fill Jackman's role.

The movie "Avon Man" follows a group of auto dealership employees who, after being laid off, are forced to find new jobs, leading one of the to become an Avon salesman. Despite the embarrassment, he eventually becomes a top salesman and uses his skill to support his family and help save his financially troubled town.

In lieu of "Avon Man," Jackman will spend his time preparing to reprise his role as Logan in the sequel to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Christoper McQuarrie ("The Usual Suspects") has written the script, adapting the story from an "X-Men" comic in which Wolverine travels to Japan. While no director is currently attached to the project, although Deadline reports that both Tony Scott and Matt Reeves have been in consideration for the position.

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