Movie Casting News: Hugh Jackman in talks for Blakbeard role in Joe Wright's upcoming 'Pan' film

According to Variety, Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman is talks to play the villain role Blackbeard in Joe Wright's upcoming “Peter Pan” origin tale tentatively titled Pan, for Warner Bros., which made The Black List. Pan is slated for a June 26, 2015 release!

Read more of Hugh Jackman's casting info. below via Variety..

Hugh Jackman In Talks for Blackbeard Role in ‘Pan’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Hugh Jackman is in negotiations to play the villainous pirate Blackbeard in 

Warner Bros.’ forthcoming Peter Pan origin film “Pan.”Joe Wright is directing the adventure tale from a script by Jason Fuchs.

WB had gone to Javier Bardem for the role but the actor passed and the studio pursued Jackman shortly after that.

While the Australian actor isn’t known for playing villains, Jackman has shown the ability to take on the darker roles. His recent perf in WB’s “Prisoners” got high praise from critics and though he’s not the bad guy in the film, the part is much edgier than his previous roles, even that of the anti-hero Wolverine in the “X-Men” movies.

Jackman had been in discussions for a handful of films before committing to “Pan” including the antagonist in Warner Bros. “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” remake.

The origin story revolves around an orphan who is taken to the magical world of Neverland where he becomes a hero to the natives and leads a revolt against the evil pirates.

The idea is that Blackbeard is the film’s main antagonist while Hook would serve as Pan’s close ally before turning bad. Ryan Gosling was someone the studio had looked at among others for the part.

As for the title character, the studio is expected to do an open casting and find a discovery for the role. The studio is also looking for an actress in her mid-20s to play Tiger Lily. Greg Berlanti is producing. Sarah Schechter will oversee for the studio.

Also via Variety...

Warner Bros. has dated “Pan,” its Peter Pan origin tale, for June 26, 2015.

Joe Wright is attached to direct from the Jason Fuchs script but the 3D film has not yet been cast with shooting planned for April. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the pic is certain to bring back the characters created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie about a boy who can fly and never ages.

Wright adapted “Pride and Prejudice” and “Anna Karenina.”

Greg Berlanti is producing. “Pan” is the fourth Warner title dated for the 2015 summer following “Mad Max: Fury Road” on May 22, “San Andreas” on June 5 and its untitled Batman-Superman movie on July 17.

“Pan” will face competition on June 26, 2015, with Universal’s sequel to “Ted.”