Jackman to film 'Wolverine' in Australia

SYDNEY, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Australian actor Hugh Jackman has demanded his upcoming film, "Wolverine," be shot at Fox Studios in Sydney, the Daily Telegraph said Wednesday.

Jackman's company, Seed, is a producing partner for the movie.

Pre-production for the $100 million "X-Men" spin-off is under way and shooting is set to begin in Sydney at the end of next month.

"They're moving really fast on it. It's going to be an enormous production," a source involved in hiring production crew told the newspaper.

Jackman has spent the past several months filming Baz Luhrmann's epic film, "Australia," alongside fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman.

Jackman and his wife, who have lived in the United States for most of the past decade, have been staying in a rented Point Piper mansion with their two children while Jackman works Down Under.

"Seed is excited to be involved in bringing 'Wolverine' to Australia -- it will provide many jobs and exciting opportunities for the film community here,'" Jackman said. "I am grateful to be able to continue working back here. ... 20th Century Fox has been an amazing support."

Apart from Luhrmann's "Australia," the last big-budget film shot at Fox Studios was Bryan Singer's 2006 blockbuster, "Superman Returns."