X-Men star Hugh Jackman is set to go from comic book character to comic book creator after teaming up with screenwriter Marc Guggenheim for a new sci-fi thriller.

The Aussie actor, who plays Wolverine in the X-Men films and is currently reprising the hairy character in a spin-off movie, has developed a new series for Virgin Comics, called Nowhere Man.

The project is a joint venture between Jackman and Guggenheim, who adapted the Wolverine story for the big screen. Details of Nowhere Man are being kept secret, but Virgin Comics officials describe the story as “a sci-fi odyssey set in a groundbreaking vision of the future in which mankind has traded privacy for safety.”

Jackman says, “I’ve had so much fun in the graphic novel world with the X-Men franchise that I wanted to get even more involved. I am so excited to work with Virgin and Marc and create a compelling character and story that hopefully will also make it to the big screen.”

Guggenheim is no stranger to the comic book genre – he has previously authored comics on Marvel’s Wolverine series as well as the best-selling Amazing Spider-Man. He’s also the man behind Jonny Lee Miller’s hit U.S. TV show Eli Stone.

According to sources, Ryan Reynolds is set to star in the new X-Men movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Hugh Jackman is going to reprise his role as Wolverine.

A source said: “Fans were excited by rumors the film would feature Deadpool because he’s a legendary villain for Marvel comics readers. So they’ll be delighted to know Ryan’s going to play him.

“Deadpool is a mentally unstable mercenary, with special healing powers just like Wolverine’s. He is full of funny one-liners and wisecracks. It’s just the sort of thing Ryan is great at.”

WENN

20th Century Fox has set a May 1, 2009 release date for Hugh Jackman starrer X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which director Gavin Hood (Rendition, Tsotsi) begins shooting later this year. David Benioff wrote the script.

“Wolverine” is expected to feature many other mutants — some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three “X-Men” films. Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in X2.

As of now, the only other film staking out the May 1, 2009, date is Disney’s animated film G-Force.

The film explores the claw-wielding character Wolverine’s violent and romantic past, and his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.

Hood will start shooting in Australia before moving to New Zealand and, later, to New Orleans.

Producing are Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, producers of the “X-Men” movies, along with Jackman and producing partner John Palermo through their Seed Productions. Marvel’s Kevin Feige will executive produce.

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I love the X-Men movies, and Hugh Jackman’s hot.  ‘nough said.

Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has an odd way of preparing for teary film scenes – he tugs at his own pubic hair. The upbeat actor admits he struggles to conjure up tears on cue for movies but has started taking fellow Australian Geoffrey Rush’s advice and inflicting pain on himself just before a director calls, `Action!’ The X-Men tough guy reveals he used this odd technique to conjure up floods of tears for one scene in new movie The Fountain. He explains, “I remembered a great story from Geoffrey Rush, who had to cry in a scene in a play, so he was experimenting with different ways. Finally, near the end, just before he’d walk out on stage, he used to pluck out a couple of nose hairs and he’d get that first moment of a tear and then he’d go on and start crying. It’s very technical and it works! Try it at home. Pubes work even better!”

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WOW – WAY too much information.