Hugh Jackman is no longer in discussions to star with Catherine Zeta-Jones in Cleo, a 3-D live action musical which Steven Soderbergh will direct as his next project.

Jackman - who is currently starring alongside Nicole Kidman in the new Baz Luhrmann Australia - has blamed scheduling conflicts for the move, although it’s not clear what other projects he has lined up.

Cleo retells the tragedy of Egyptian queen Cleopatra and her Roman lover Marc Antony through the medium of an Elvis-style musical, with music by indie rockers Guided by Voices.

Jackman was in talks to play Anthony. It has been reported that James Purefoy, who played Antony in the BBC series Rome and impressed many viewers with his prominent talent, could take Jackman’s place.

British actor Ray Winstone is reportedly in talks to play Julius Caesar in the ambitious $30 million project, which is yet to complete a financing deal.

Jackman, 40, will host the Academy Awards on February 22 2009

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