Jackman invited to movie academy

Peter Mitchell | 1st July 2009

PROVING the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences loved the job he did at last year's Oscar ceremony, Jackman's been asked to be a member of the Academy.

AAP

Hugh Jackman has been invited to join Hollywood's most elite club.

Proving the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences loved the job he did as host of the last Oscar ceremony, Jackman has been asked to be a member of the Academy.

Each year the Academy invites distinguished players in the film-making community to join its 6,000-strong membership and Tuesday the Academy revealed Jackman and 133 others were 2009's chosen ones.

Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker, who was behind the camera of Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia, managing director of Australian film distributor Graham W. Burke and Heath Ledger's ex, Michelle Williams, also received invites.

Other notables to receive an Academy membership invite were actors Anne Hathaway, Casey Affleck, Emily Blunt, Michael Cera, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Amy Ryan and directors Danny Boyle, David Frankel and Tyler Perry.

"These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," Academy president Sid Ganis said.

"It's this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks."

Other notable Australian members invited in previous years include Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana and Russell Crowe.

New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy's Fairbanks Centre for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.