The Daily Dish: May 5

-- Ben Stiller to spread goodness Now this sounds promising. Everyone's favourite funny Focker has signed on to direct Help Me Spread Goodness , a film which essentially asks, ‘What if someone fell for the ubiquitous Nigerian prince email scam?’ The story follows a Chicago banker who empties his wallet and them some, and effectively loses his son's college fund trying to help the downtrodden internet prince. What may surprise some, though, is that the film is being billed as more of a drama than a comedy - with ha-ha pit stops along the way of course - but this shouldn't be cause for concern. Cast your minds way, way back, to 1994 specifically, wherein one Mr. Stiller directed the classic meditation on Gen-X angst Reality Bites , which, while funny, didn't shy away from serious topics. Goodness is said to focus on the real-life plight of Nigerians in keeping with the mandate of Participant Media – the funding company – which is dedicated to making films that tackle modern issues and invite social change.

-- Jackman's dance card fills up Fresh off Wolverine ’s (US)$87 million opening weekend, star Hugh Jackman's stock has gone way up in La-La Land, as he’s in talks to star in at least three upcoming films, one of which is, unsurprisingly, a sequel to this latest X-Men success. According to Variety, Jackman and Seed Productions partner John Palermo have begun developing the Wolverine follow-up, which will focus on the samurai/Yakuza storyline from the comic series and will be set in Japan. In addition to the X-men sequel, Jackman has been tapped to headline Personal Security , wherein he'll star as a tough detective forced into bodyguard mode, caring for a spoiled teen heiress no less, when someone threatens to kidnap her – uh, right. Then there's Drive , a film about a man who puts the pedal to the medal during the day as a racecar driver and jumps behind the wheel of getaway cars by night. The long-shelved musical Carousel is said to be resurfacing, with Jackman taking on the role of Billy Bigelow and, if he has his way, Anne Hathaway as his leading lady. Tired, yet? Lastly, Jackman is said to be returning to Broadway in Houdini , wherein he'll play the titular magician.

-- Life imitates art…Christina Aguilera does Burlesque The formerly scandalous Grammy winner is set to make her big-screen debut in Burlesque, a contemporary musical to be directed by Steven Antin, '90s actor, "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" producer and brother of Robin Antin, the Dolls founder. Shamelessly going the Flashdance/Cabaret route, Christina Aguilera, known for her larger-than-life pipes, will play a small-town girl with big-city dreams who makes it to the top thanks to her charisma and raw talent. Expect life lessons, heartache and montages along the way in the diva's film debut. I think I'll pass.