Hugh Jackman to Star in 'Six Years' for Paramount (Exclusive)

In his first move since landing an Oscar nomination for his lead turn in Les Miserables, Hugh Jackman is attached to star in a big-screen adaptation of Harlan Coben's upcoming novel Six Years.

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Paramount is developing the project. The studio was among at least four bidders including 20th Century Fox that were vying for the WME-repped package, which does not yet have a screenwriter or director attached. Tom Rothman, the former Fox chief, is in negotiations to produce alongside Mark Gordon.

The novel centers on Jake Fisher, who watched the love of his life, Natalie, marry another man. Six years have passed when Jake comes across the other man's obituary. He resolves to attend the funeral, hoping to catch a glimpse of Natalie. But the mourning widow is not Natalie, throwing all of his past memories with the woman into question. Coben’s past five novels have debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.

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Six Years publishes March 19.

Despite Coben's run on the best-seller lists, only one has been adapted for the big screen: 2006’s Tell No One, a French-language film directed by Guillaume Canet. Warner Bros. acquired remake rights to that film, with Ben Affleck attached to direct and Chris Terrio writing.

Jackman and Coben are repped by WME.

Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com, Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27