A new host is about to sink his claws into hosting the Oscars.

Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the "X-Men" movies and the upcoming "X-Men" prequel, will host the 81st annual Academy Awards, Oscar producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced Friday.

"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star," said Mark and Condon in a joint statement. "He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year’s movies -- and to have fun doing it."

Jackman has previously hosted the Tony Awards. He's also a Tony Award winner, having captured the Best Actor in a Musical prize in 2004 for his performance in "The Boy From Oz."

Jackman, 40, was also recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive." He currently is starring in director Baz Luhrmann's romance epic "Australia" opposite Nicole Kidman, and will next star in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in May.

The Australian native's film credits include "The Prestige," "Flushed Away," "The Fountain," "Happy Feet," "Van Helsing," "Kate and Leopold" and "Swordfish."

Also a veteran of the stage, Jackman has had roles in such theater productions as "Carousel," Oklahoma!" "Sunset Boulevard" and "Beauty and the Beast."

The nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 22. The Oscars will be handed out Feb. 22.

The Academy announced Thursday that legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis would be given a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charity work.