'Pan' Movie News Update: Hugh Jackman to Play Villainous Blackbeard

According to reports, Hugh Jackman is in talks to take on the role of Blackbeard in the upcoming Peter Pan movie directed by Joe Wright.

"Hugh Jackman is in negotiations to play the villainous pirate Blackbeard in Warner Bros.' forthcoming Peter Pan origin film 'Pan,'" writes Variety's Justin Kroll.

The move is quite surprising as it was previously rumored that Javier Bardem, who played the villain Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers' "No Country for Old Men," was expected to take on the iconic part; the film's IMDB page still lists Bardem as rumored for the role.

The Variety piece also notes that the character of Blackbeard would be the film's main villain; Captain Hook, who is widely seen as Peter Pan's greatest rival, is being portrayed as his closest ally before the two enter into conflict.

If Jackman takes on the villainous role, it would be one of the few that he has taken on during his career. Known mainly for his turn as the iconic Wolverine, Jackman has a penchant for playing good guys, as evidenced in last year's Academy Award nominee "Les Miserables." Jackman has taken on edgier roles as evidenced by his recent turn in "Prisoners" as well as Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige."

There have been no other casting announcements for the film thus far. It is believed that an open casting call will determine who takes on the iconic role of Peter Pan. According to "Pan's" IMDB page, the movie is slated for a June 25, 2015 release date in the United States.