Hollywood Heavyweights George Clooney and Hugh Jackman Clash Over Broadway Spotlight

Gorgeous George Clooney is loving his new Broadway gig and putting himself in line for similar future roles, but sources reveal he’s on a collision course with fellow movie star Hugh Jackman, who thinks HE is Hollywood’s king of the Great White Way and feels threatened!

George is camping out in his territory and Hugh is watching him nervously and no doubt worried he’ll steal all the thunder,” dishes an insider.

The 56-year-old Wolverine hunk premiered a new show — From New York With Love — at Radio City Music Hall on Jan. 24, featuring selections from some of his famous stage and film musicals, including Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman and The Music Man. It runs through Oct. 4.

Meanwhile, George’s first Broadway play, Goodbye, and Good Luck, is getting all the big buzz after previewing March 12. And Hugh is reportedly steamed!

“George and Hugh are not old friends or anything like that, and George has to understand that on a spiritual level, the whole street belongs to Hugh, who has been regularly performing on Broadway for the entire 25 years of his Hollywood career,” spills an insider.

“Hugh has every right to be skeptical of George suddenly dipping his toes in this river after basically ignoring it for years.

“It’s not apples to oranges, either. George’s play is not a musical, but ticket prices are right up there with the biggest shows on Broadway — and George is expecting sellout business for this run!”

Sources also note Hugh has always been the limelight-grabbing star in his stage work until his shocking, marriage-wrecking affair with Sutton Foster, his Music Man leading lady, reaped more notice than anything he’s ever done! Meanwhile, George “is bending over backward to show people that his play is not just about him – it’s about this whole ensemble he’s put together. Hugh’s never done anything remotely close to that!” squeals a spy.

“To George’s credit, he hasn’t stocked the cast with a bunch of his A-list buddies. Instead, the ensemble is filled with actors he has respected for years but who haven’t really had their moment in the sun in this way before now.

“That’s a compelling story that George can tell the press, and it’s very different from any narrative that has gone along with one of Hugh’s Broadway turns.

“It’s also exactly why George is convinced he won’t be seen as an interloper!”