Hugh Jackman, star of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Australia," is in talks to play the lead character in Shawn Levy's upcoming futuristic robot boxing movie "Real Steel," which DreamWorks is developing.

Set in the future, the film focuses on a world in which human boxing is forbidden. Instead, big humanoid robots step in to take over the sport. Variety says Jackman will play a man who finds a talented robot boxer.

John Gatins, the man behind "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story" and "Coach Carter," is rewriting the most recent draft. Dan Gilroy and Les Bohem worked on previous drafts. Levy is working on the script as well.

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Hugh Jackman's musical number as the host 81st Academy Awards has impressed the folks at 20th Century Fox, as the studio has recruited him to star in its upcoming "The Greatest Showman on Earth" musical.

Jackman will slip into the role of American entertainer P.T. Barnum, who promoted celebrated hoaxes and founded the three-ring circus.

Variety says the film will also look at his relationship with singer Jenny Lind, a role which is apparently being written for Anne Hathaway. You may remember her joining Jackman in his excellent Oscar act.

Jenny Bicks, whose credits include "Men in Trees" and "Sex and the City," will write the script, and Fox is apparently talking to singer Mika to write music and lyrics.

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Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 15, 2009:

• Hugh Jackman is attached to star in 20th Century Fox's "Avon Man," based on a pitch by Kevin Bisch, screenwriter of "Hitch." The story follows a man who's laid off and tries his luck as an Avon salesman. Variety says the project takes on a "Full Monty" vibe.

• David Frankel, director of "Marley & Me," is set to helm "Septimus Heap: Magyk" for Warner Bros. The project is based on the book series by Angie Sage. The story follows two babies - one how is the seventh son of a seventh son and is set to become a wizard, and the other who is destined to become a princess. (THR)

• Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore will star in Stanley Tucci's comedy-drama "The Hunter." Written by Tucci, the film follows a middle-aged man "desperately clinging to the vestiges of his once-charmed life and world." Variety describes it as a coming-of-age story.

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Wow, I guess Hugh Jackman really is the man right now. It may be a little to early to crown him king of Hollywood, but according to Variety, Jackman's about ready to star in pretty much anything. First of all, we found out yesterday that he is in talks to star in "Ghostopolis." Another project he will be boarding is a "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" sequel, which the trade says will center on the samurai story line from the comics.

But wait! Jackman's got more in store for you. He will also star in Fox's "Personal Security," which follows a detective who's ordered to play bodyguard for a spoiled teen heiress. Another flick he's considering is "Drive," in which he would play a race car driver who spends his nights driving getaway cars. And finally, he will also appear in "Carousel," a new version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic. You go Jack!

Hugh Jackman is putting his big claws away for a while to slip into a Ghostbuster-like hero instead. The star from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is in talks to star in "Ghostopolis," the big-screen adaptation of Doug TenNapel's graphic novel. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jackman is also attached to produce the project.

The plot focuses on a Supernatural Immigration Task Force agent who spends his days sending ghosts who have escaped into the human world back home to Ghostopolis. But when a human boy is accidentally sent to the ghost world, our guy teams up with a female ghost to get him back. Well, sounds interesting at this point.

Jackman is currently celebrating the $87 million opening weekend of "Wolverine." That'll make people forget the disappointing performance of his previous film "Australia," which I really enjoyed.