Hugh Jackman is ready to trade in slashing bad guys for shaking hands and kissing babies (and possibly some other, more scandalous stuff), with Variety reporting that the Logan star has signed on for the title role in Jason Reitman’s new film The Frontrunner. Jackman will star as Senator Gary Hart, the 1988 Democratic candidate whose hopes for the presidency were destroyed when allegations arose that he was engaged in an extramarital affair. Although Hart attempted to weather the accusations, his credibility was damaged, leaving opponent Michael Dukakis to get crushed in the ’88 campaign against George H.W. Bush.
The Frontrunner marks a return to more political film-making for Reitman, who made a name for himself with 2005’s Thank You For Smoking. The Oscar-nominated director is currently finishing up work on his latest feature, Tully, with Charlize Theron and Juno writer Diablo Cody.