Hugh Jackman's THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH Gets a Director

Commercial director and visual effects artist Michael Gracey has been hired by Fox to direct the Hugh Jackman movie musical The Greatest Showman on Earth, which was scripted by Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City). Jackman is set to play the legendary P.T. Barnum with a penchant for hoaxing a gullible public as he creates the three-ring circus that made him famous. The musical will also focuses on his infatuation with singer Jenny Lind -- the so-called Swedish Nightingale.

This sounds like a strange project, but I can see Jackman taking on the role, and he should do a fine job with it. After all, he likes to sing and dance, the guy seems like a natural showman. 

When the project was first announced it was reported that the role of Lind was being written for Anne Hathaway. At one point Jackman also wanted Hathaway as his female lead in the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Carousel, which Jackman had in the works with Palermo at one point. The studio was also in talks with British singer-songwriter Mika to write music and lyrics for the film's contemporary musical score.

It's interesting that we are seeing more and more commercial directors getting feature film directing work these days. I guess the studios can get the for cheap, and if they show promise what could it hurt? Gracey actually worked with Jackman on a Lipton Ice Tea commercial. I've embedded it for you below. After you watch it you'll see why they probably hired the guy.