Steven Spielberg’s next film, featuring robot boxers who have replaced humans in the ring, has reportedly gained another actor. Hugh Jackman has joined the cast of the sci-fi flick, scheduled to begin filming in June 2010. Considered one of the most acclaimed directors of our time, Spielberg can manage to turn the strangest of storylines into a blockbuster, so keep your eyes peeled for this one!

Steven Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Haddon Township, New Jersey and Scottsdale, Arizona. As a teen, he began making adventure films with his friends, charging admission at his home. His sister even sold popcorn to his viewings!

Spielberg credits the stepping stones of his directing career to earning his Boy Scout merit badge, creating his first film. By age 13, he won the prize for his 40-minute war film titled “Escape to Nowhere,” and by age 15 he wrote and directed his first independent film called Firelight which was shown in his local movie theater. The film earned a profit of $1.00.

He then moved with his father to Saratoga, California, where he finished his high school career at Saratoga High School. Spielberg went on to study film at University of Southern California School of Theatre, Film, and Television, but due to poor grades, he transferred to California State University, Long Beach. He only obtained his degree in film production and electronic arts with an option in film/video production through independent projects, 35 years after he first attended college.

He soon gained experience as an unpaid intern seven days a week at Universal Studios in the editing department. He directed his first short film called Amblin’, which the vice president of production for Universal’s TV division saw and signed Spielberg as the youngest director to ever be signed for a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio.

As a TV producer, he shot a segment for a pilot of a show called Night Gallery. This led to several other TV projects, and eventually four TV films. The Sugarland Express was Spielberg’s professional theatrical debut, but it was the huge success of the movies Jaws that put the spotlight on his director’s chair.

Spielberg has directed many history-making films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind (which he also wrote), Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List, and more. His success allowed him to build his studio, DreamWorks SKG, with partners Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. Critics and professionals in the business all agree on one thing: Steven Spielberg will continue to be a staple in Hollywood.

[photo: Getty Images]

Spielberg used an 8mm camera for self-expression. How do you encourage your cute kid’s creativity?