Hugh Jackman In Talks To Star in 'Real Steel' For DreamWorks

Hugh Jackman, currently starring on Broadway in A Steady Rain with Daniel Craig is considering a starring role in DreamWork's upcoming "Real Steel," according to Variety.  Shawn Levy is set to direct.

In the action film, Jackman would play 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).

"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. The studio hopes to begin filming after Jackman's run on Broadway and before next summer. 

"A Steady Rain," by Keith Huff play opened Tuesday night at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater. Jackman and Craig play lifelong best friends and partners on the Chicago police force. The play finishes its sold-out limited run on December 7. Tickets range from $140.00 to $66.50. The performance schedule for A STEADY RAIN is: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are available at www.telecharge.com (212.239.6200).