Hugh Jackman is in full-on blockbuster mode lately, even as his time as Wolverine winds to a close. He's already got Joe Wright's Pan coming up later this year, and now he's set his sights on Lionsgate's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, which will be directed by The Hunger Games' Francis Lawrence.
Jackman is in early talks to take the role of Odysseus, the Greek hero of the Trojan War whose 10-year journey home to Ithaca became the stuff of legend. Blown off course, Odysseus and his men would encounter all sorts of mythical creatures, along with a number of powerful gods. Think Percy Jackson times a thousand and you'll get the point. But there's also going to be a need for a female lead as Odysseus' wife must hold off 100 suitors who are vying for her hand in marriage. Odysseus was played by Sean Bean in Troy back in 2004. If the film is a hit don't be surprised if Lionsgate decides to take on the Illiad, too.
Peter Craig (The Town) wrote The Odyssey, which is expected to go into production next year. [TheWrap]
