Jackman happy to be second choice

Hugh Jackman has revealed that Russell Crowe was the first choice for the lead in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming epic Australia.

The actor claimed that Crowe rejected the chance to play Nicole Kidman's lover after a dispute over pay.

However, he insisted that he has no qualms with being second choice, saying: "I don't mind if I'm off the bench, second or third reserve. I just didn't want to miss out on being a part of the film."

The movie, which is scheduled for release in November, tells the story of an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits a large ranch in pre-World War II Australia. When English cattle barons hatch a takeover plot, she reluctantly joins forces with a cattle driver (Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across the country, encountering the Japanese bombing of Darwin on the way.

> Jackman: 'It was hard to kiss Kidman'