Hugh Jackman has reportedly turned down the chance to be the next James Bond.

The Melbourne Age says the Australian refused the chance to play 007 in the next three Bond films.

Jackman, who was reportedly the frontrunner for the role, turned it down after talking with wife Deborah-Lee Furness.

He reportedly didn't feel he needed to play Bond in order to boost his already high profile career.

Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the X-Men movies, would have been only the second Australian to play Bond, after George Lazenby, who starred in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Source: Press Release