Last month it was revealed that Atonement and Anna Karenina director Joe Wright was in talks to direct Pan, a new movie about the origins of Peter Pan written by Jason Fuchs.

With that deal done, the movie has entered the casting process. The first name up is none other than Hugh Jackman, who has entered into negotiations to play the film’s villain, the pirate Blackbeard.

In Pan, an orphan boy is brought to the magical world of Neverland, where he will become a savior to the native people and lead a rebellion against evil pirates led of course by Blackbeard.

In this origin story Blackbeard is the primary antagonist, while the usual Peter Pan villain, Hook, will actually start off as one of Pan’s closest allies.

The role was first offered to Javier Bardem, who turned it down before the studio moved on to Jackman.

Wright’s other directing credits include Hanna, Pride & Prejudice, and The Soloist.

[Source: Variety]