Reviewed by critics as "a cheesy, cloying catastrophe", it wasn't surprising that Australia would fail to get an Oscar nomination. But in an 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' scenario, tonight's Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood will be hosted by the film's male lead, Hugh Jackman.

The show, like the Baz Luhrmann film, can be preeningly self-important, which is why the previous tradition of hiring a stand-up comic as host relieved the tedium of congratulatory back-slapping and cringe-inducing speeches.

Appointing Jackman as host is a big departure from the tradition of inviting comics such as Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin and Chris Rock to do it. The reason is that, while most of the audience is unlikely to be in need of a facelift, the show itself is considered tired-looking.

Producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon promise this year's event has undergone a considerable makeover. The Aussie actor is, say the producers, "a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star. He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion."

He also has a talent for singing and dancing. Nothing wrong with that, but worrying in an Oscar-hosting context, where film clips and frocks are what people want to see.

The most achingly boring part of the show is usually that big music-and-dance extravaganza of movie scores – the bit where telly viewers get to go and put the kettle on while the star-studded audience have to sit through it all with rictus smiles.

Jackman has serious form in musical theatre but if anyone can bring a fresh appeal to the razzmatazz it's the golden-voiced, agile Australian. The actor starred as Curly in the Royal National Theatre version of Oklahoma! in London in l998 before playing the same role in the film remake in 1999. Jackman also performed his camp role of The Boy From Oz at the 2004 Tony Awards, pulling an unsuspecting Sarah Jessica Parker up from the audience to join him in a raunchy dance.

And the X-Men star has another audience-grabbing X-factor: Jackman was voted 'The Sexiest Man Alive' last year by People magazine. The accolade amused the 40-year-old actor, as did a previous suggestion that he was gay due to his performance in The Boy from Oz.

"I was playing a gay guy. I actually took it as a compliment. And I guess it was a sign that I was moving up the ladder."

His height, rather than his sexuality, invited even more tittle-tattle, especially after playing the five-foot three-inch Wolverine in X-Men (Jackman is 6ft 2in).

"Before I had any kind of acting profile, I was encouraged to say I was about 6ft tall. I was worried when I first had my audition for the role. A lot of people who have never met me think I'm very short."

But it wasn't height that nearly robbed Jackman of his first X-Men role in 1999 – it was an officious Canadian immigration officer.

Barred from entering the country en route to an audition because he didn't have a work visa, the actor desperately waved his script in front of the official.

"Basically, I'm begging this bored customs guy: 'Look, man, I'm having a meeting with the director of X-Men. I'm possibly Wolverine!' All of a sudden the guy is screaming, 'Hey, over here, it's Wolverine,' and minutes later I'm signing autographs for an audition."

Jackman is almost as famous for the roles he turned down or failed to get as for the ones that made him a star. He regrets not taking the Richard Gere role in the Oscar-winning Chicago (2002) because he felt he was too young. Daniel Craig pipped Jackman to the part of the new James Bond in 2006.

But he happily accepted the lead role of the sweaty stockman opposite Nicole Kidman in Australia a couple of years ago, after first choice Russell Crowe refused, allegedly because the studio couldn't meet his price. On the bright side for the affable Jackman, he is considered a good bet as Academy Awards host – something the taciturn Crowe would struggle to pull off.

And yet, keeping everyone awake, including the viewers who sit up through the night to watch, will be a challenge for Jackman.

"The tricky part is that, while he's charming, he's not the kind of guy to go out there and deliver a comic monologue at the top of the show," says Steve Pond, author of a book on the backstage goings on at the Oscars called The Big Show. "He's more comfortable with a song and dance. But is a song and dance at the top of the Oscars what people want to see?"

It will be some time before Jackman gets to sit in the audience alongside Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke and Leonardo di Caprio waiting for his elusive Oscar. But the actor already has an Emmy award (2005) for hosting the 58th Tony Awards and a best actor Tony for The Boy From Oz (2004). He was also a guest presenter at the 2002 Oscars.

He must have been impressed by the gushing of acceptances back then, given his response when offered what's considered the toughest gig in showbusiness.

"Thirty years ago, when I was in Sydney watching Johnny Carson host the Oscars, I never imagined that I'd one day have the chance to be up on that stage myself. I am very grateful to the Academy, and excited to be working on what I know will be a fun and memorable celebration."

If he doesn't overdo the big cheesy musical numbers, the X-Man from Oz could well make the 81st Academy Awards memorable. And for all the right reasons.

CV

Born: Sydney, Australia, 1968 to English parents

Career: Degrees in journalism and performing arts; television series Correlli (1995); Oklahoma! on London stage (1998); films include X-Men series (2000-2006), Kate & Leopold (2001), Van Helsing (2004), Happy Feet (voicing a dancing penguin) (2006), The Prestige (2006)

Personal life: married to actress Deborra-Lee Furness (1996); two adopted children, Oscar (8) and Ava (3)

In the news: Host of tonight's Academy Awards