THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Trailer
The live-action family musical seems like a thing of the past, but The Greatest Showman aims to bring the joyous magic back to the big screen this holiday season.
And why not when you’ve got song and dance man Hugh Jackman as your lead? He’s been attached to the project since 2009, and as pre-production sprawled out for years and years, he stuck with the film. Apparently he likes the idea of a P.T. Barnum biopic, and his name is likely what kept the project alive.
The film marks the directorial debut of visual effects and commercial man Michael Gracey, whose expertise likely came in handy when handling the over-the-top, cotton-candy visuals. Barnum, as this softened biopic claims, invented show business with his traveling circus, and the trailer plays up the wonder of entertainment.
Other performers with a musical background round out the cast, most notably with Zac Efron reviving his High School Musical skills. Younger audience members will know Zendaya has music chops in addition to her Spider-Man: Homecoming appearance, and everyone will probably be surprised to learn that Rebecca Ferguson attended a prominent music school in Stockholm.
But the big get is advertised prominently in this trailer: before their Oscar for La La Land and their tony for Dear Evan Hanson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were approached to make original songs for The Greatest Showman. All parties agreed on a modern feel for the music, and while that may not be the most obvious choice for a period piece, it’s not surprising considering how high this project is aiming.
My guess is the whole thing will either end up a grand success or a fiery failure. Either way, it’s unlikely to be boring.
The Greatest Showman is directed by Michael Gracey and stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Michelle Williams. It will be released in the U.S. on December 25th, 2017 and in the U.K. on January 1st, 2018. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think The Greatest Showman will be a success? Let us know in the comments!
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