Hugh Jackman Prepares to Pass Sexiest Man Alive Crown

Saturday October 31, 2009 08:00 AM EDT

Hugh Jackman

Carlos Costa/Pacific Coast News

As the one-year reign of Hugh Jackman as PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive winds down, it's time to pass the crown to a new deserving hunk. So who does the Australian screen star, Oscar host and current Broadway leading man want to see take the title next?

"Me! I want to be the first to have it back to back, buddy," Jackman, 41, told PEOPLE's reporter on Friday in New York, while attending the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert (set to air on HBO Nov. 29). "That would be fantastic!"

Though he would like to reclaim the title, the Steady Rain star (who costars in the Broadway drama with Daniel Craig, certainly another SMA possibility) says it's been quite an exciting year as the Sexiest Man Alive, but also one that's been a little demanding.

"I thought there were thousands of other guys that deserved it, but it's been a great year. But now the pressures off," he said good-naturedly. "I can be a slob again."
– Paul Chi

PeopleTV Archive: Hugh Jackman: Move Over, George!