Hugh Jackman-Produced Show to Receive CBS Pilot

A musical drama executive produced by Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Hugh Jackman will receive a CBS pilot.

Jackman will also guest star on the "Viva Laughlin!" pilot.  According to IMDB.com, the show - which is based on the BBC murder mystery "Blackpool" - concerns "small-time casino owner, Ripley Holden, (who) dreams of opening up a snazzy resort on the Las Vegas Strip."  It will be presented as a co-production between Sony and CBS Paramount, with direction by The Pursuit of Happyness' Gabriele Muccino.  Muccino, Bob Lowry and Paul Talegdy will also executive produce.

The multi-talented Jackman won an Emmy for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards ceremony. He was also nominated for the 1998 Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical for his Curly in the Royal National Theatre's Oklahoma! A musical theatre veteran back in Australia, he played Joe Gillis in the 1996 production of Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne, and Gaston in 1995's Beauty and the Beast.  Film credits include The Fountain, The Prestige, Scoop, the X-Men films, and Someone Like You.

Photos of Hugh Jackman by Linda Lenzi