Soderbergh discusses Zeta-Jones musical

Rex Features

Steven Soderbergh has revealed that directing Cleo, a 3-D musical about the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, will fulfil a lifelong ambition.

Speaking to Empire about the project, in which Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hugh Jackman will play Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, the Ocean's Eleven filmmaker said he is now searching for an actor to play Caesar Octavian.

"I've wanted to do a musical my whole career," he explained."I've been developing this on my own quietly, and I'm hoping to get it together for next Spring.

"[Zeta-Jones and Jackman have] got great voices. I've seen them live and they're amazing. Now we need a Caesar."

Despite the tragic ending to Anthony and Cleopatra's relationship, Soderbergh, who also directed Traffic and Out Of Sight, said he expects the film to be lighter than his previous work.

"It's supposed to be fun - you're supposed to have a real good time," he commented. "I'm really excited about it."