RIALTO CHATTER: Jackman Out, Spacey In For 'STAR IS BORN' Workshop

The New York Post's Michael Riedel has revealed that Hugh Jackman, who has been rumored to star in a stage musical of "A Star Is Born," has passed on being a part of the upcoming production. Kevin Spacey will now play the role of washed-up Hollywood star Norman Maine in a workshop in London next month reports Riedel.

If all goes well explains Michael Riedel, look for it to open at the Old Vic, which Spacey heads, in the fall of 2009.

The film "A Star Is Born" has been remade many times, including by Barbra Streisand in the 1970s, Judy Garland in the 1950s and Janet Gaynor in the 1930s. There is also a version in the works with Beyonce in the leading female role.

A number of months ago Riedel first got wind of the rumor that Hugh Jackman might indeed be planning to make his return to both New York City and the Broadway stage with 'Star', to read his original column in the Post click here.

Kevin Spacey is Artistic Director of The Old Vic Theatre Company. He directed its inaugural production Cloaca, before appearing in National Anthems, The Philadelphia Story, Richard II and A Moon for the Misbegotten, which subsequently transferred to the Brooks Atkinson Theater New York, and most recently in Speed-the-Plow with Jeff Goldblum. Previous theatre includes The Iceman Cometh (Evening Standard and Olivier Awards for Best Actor, and Tony Award nomination) directed by Howard Davies (Almeida, The Old Vic and Broadway); Lost in Yonkers (Tony Award, Best Supporting Actor); Long Day's Journey into Night, with Jack Lemmon, directed by Jonathan Miller (Broadway and West End). He also sometimes works in the film industry.

Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss is starring in the world premiere of Joe Sutton' s new play Complicit directed by Kevin Spacey in-the-round at The Old Vic.

Complicit is a powerful American play that explores our current political climate. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Ben Kritzer (Richard Drey fuss) is hauled before the Supreme Court where he faces the dilemma of defending his belief in the freedom of the press or protecting his family.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.