Sexy mutant on prowl in Bondi, by Andrew Hornery - 20th October 2007
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

PRIVATE SYDNEY

In Hollywood, major movie deals are done over lunch at The Ivy between bottles of Dom Perignon. In Aussiewood they are done on Bondi Beach over a bottle of Reef Oil and screeching kids.

Hugh Jackman has been quietly casting roles for the $100 million plus sci-fi blockbuster Wolverine, a spin-off from the X Men franchise to be filmed in Sydney and New Zealand, between trips to the beach with his children Oscar and Ava. Jackman and Seed Productions, the company he runs with his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, are associate producers of the film with 20th Century Fox.

In recent weeks Jackman has been spotted approaching would-be stars and offering them the chance to audition for roles in the flick, which is said to be a prequel that delves deep into the early years of Jackman's hirsute Wolverine character who, by all accounts, is the sexiest mutant on the big screen.

One such opportunity has gone to the former McCleod's Daughters "hunk" Aaron Jeffrey, who has already gone through one screen test to play Jackman's brother in the film. Jackman and Jeffrey - similarly tall, dark and handsome - have had regular catch-ups on Bondi, where Jeffrey is regularly spotted with his girlfriend, another actor with considerable success in Hollywood, Peta Wilson.

The official word from Seed Productions is that not all the casting has been finalised and the company declined to shed any light on Jeffrey's situation specifically. However, if he lands the role, it could propel his career into the Hollywood major league.

Meanwhile Jackman has been busy getting even more buff for the role, employing his great mate Michael Ryan as his personal trainer.

Earlier in the year PS reported that Jackman was best man at Ryan's wedding on the Gold Coast and the pair were spotted recently at a training session in Kings Cross gym.

Filming is expected to last between three and four months. The Wolverine director Gavin Hood and his crew have been spotted in New Zealand doing some location scouting with cinematographer Donald McAlpine (Moulin Rouge!, Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) already on board.

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