Hugh Jackman on leaps of faith

Aussies are risk-takers, which sets them apart from their American show-biz counterparts. In an interview in the December issue of Playboy, actor Hugh Jackman says, "It's hard to put us all in the same basket, but a couple of things may set Australians apart on the whole. We like to take risks," including in sports.

"You look at Cate Blanchett taking on Katharine Hepburn in a Martin Scorsese film or what Nicole and Russell and the others do - it's all about risks." That's Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe to the rest of us.

"We're also very well trained by the time we hit America. We've had a few films under our belts and made our mistakes. I was 30 before I made my mark," he said.

Jackman is promoting "Australia," which co-stars Kidman and opens Nov. 26. In the interview, he touches on the stage production of "Beauty and the Beast," creating a lean, veiny look for Wolverine in "X-Men: Origins," his late friend Heath Ledger, watching "American Idol" and - since it's Playboy- come-ons from women.