I just get giddy at the very thought of this film because it's so insane on so many levels. And if it were virtually anyone besides Steven Soderbergh behind it, that giddiniess would probably be replaced by repulsion, but really how can you be turned off by the notion of "Cleo"?

It is: (A) A retelling of the Cleopatra story, (B) A rock musical with music courtesy of members of Guided by Voices, (C) Shooting in 3D or (D) All of the above.

All of the above, baby! I spoke at length with Soderbergh this afternoon and he revealed quite a bit about his next film, including who will round out the leading trio of performers in the film. We knew about Catherine Zeta-Jones playing Cleopatra and Hugh Jackman as Mark Antony (Soderbergh said he's waiting by the phone for the official yes from the sexiest man alive). So who is the singing Julius Caesar? It's Beowulf himself, Ray Winstone, MTV can report straight from Soderbergh's lips.

The director also refured reports that the film is set in the 1920s, saying it's a period story all the way. Read more...

Cleopatra, the last and legendary Queen of Egypt, entranced quite a few men in her day -- and now it sounds like Steven Soderbergh is the latest to fall under her spell. According to Variety, Soderbergh is planning to direct a 3-D, live-action, rock-n-roll musical called "Cleo" about the Egyptian queen and her lover, Mark Antony. The music has already been written by now-defunct indie rock band Guided by Voices, with a script by James Greer, former bass player for the band.

Soderbergh is courting some big talent for his musical project, too -- he wants Catherine Zeta-Jones to play the Egyptian queen, and Hugh Jackman to play Mark Antony. This is the one part of the project I can get behind, as Jackman has yet to flaunt his musical talent onscreen. And Hugh Jackman in 3-D? Be still my heart! Read more...