Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman are to join director Baz Luhrmann, on his new film "Australia."

Writers on the project include Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Luhrmann.

The pre-World War II-set story follows an English aristocrat – Kidman, who inherits a cattle ranch and enlists the help of a driver - Jackman to move a herd of 2,000 across the country only to face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.

Russell Crowe was originally attached as the male lead but has since been replaced.

Jackman earned a Tony Award for his turn in the Broadway musical “The Boy From Oz”.
The Australian actor is also known for his film roles in the "X-Men" trilogy and "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold," "Van Helsing" and the recent "The Fountain" and "Happy Feet".

Kidman last teamed with Luhrmann on his movie musical "Moulin Rouge."
The actress, who appeared on the Broadway stage in David Hare's “The Blue Room”, is known for her film work in "The Hours," "Cold Mountain," "The Others," "To Die For" and "Dead Calm."

Film director Luhrmann brought his stage version of “La Bohème” to Broadway in 2002.
He is best recognized for his movies "Strictly Ballroom," "Romeo + Juliet" and the Academy Award-nominated "Moulin Rouge."

Filming on the film is slated to start in Bowen, Australia, in April 2007.

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