James Tisch May 17th, 2017 - 6:57 PM
There’s always been a somewhat thrilling dichotomy to Hugh Jackman‘s career. On one hand, the gruff, muscled Aussie made his mark on global cinema for his iconic portrayal of the moody Wolverine in numerous X-Men titles – most recently with this year’s critically admired and ambitiously R-rated hit Logan (said to be his last stint as the character). On the other, Jackman is a celebrated song and dance man, a Tony Award winner (for playing the very un-Wolverine Peter Allen in the musical The Boy From Oz) who earned an Oscar nomination for the 2012 musical adaptation Les Misérables.
2017 represents a tip to both Jackmans. Logan made its cash and this holiday season the actor leads the musical bio The Greatest Showman, which chronicles the rags-to-riches life of the visionary P.T. Barnum. Michael Gracey directs the picture which co-stars Zac Efron (Baywatch), Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Rebecca Ferguson (Life) and four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea). Oscar winners Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Bill Condon (Chicago) and Jenny Bicks (Rio 2) penned the screenplay. The film will feature original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, recent Oscar winners for penning “City of Stars” from La La Land.
And now we get our first look at the film, courtesy of EW.
Here’s your EXCLUSIVE first look at @RealHughJackman as P.T. Barnum in ‘The Greatest Showman’: https://t.co/bfcjGknBE1 pic.twitter.com/yJZixoQ0FF
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) May 17, 2017
ICYMI: We’ve got your first look at Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams in ‘The Greatest Showman’: https://t.co/c3mYij5iB0 pic.twitter.com/2HuzPkhMh9 — Entertainment Weekly (@EW) May 17, 2017
The Greatest Showman First Look https://t.co/9CevnV8rru #ZacEfron pic.twitter.com/tkGf5qQ9Xn
— Zac Efron FanForum (@ZacEfronFF) May 17, 2017
Zendaya and Zac Efron in ‘The Greatest Showman’ https://t.co/zAi1eUFfS8 pic.twitter.com/CsTQ6nhbkk — Zendaya Media (@ZendayaMedia) May 17, 2017
On this seemingly modern take on the life of Barnum, Jackman commented, “We were clear from the beginning that this wouldn’t feel like a period movie or a historical piece. What would Barnum do now? I have an almost-12-year-old daughter. I wanted [the movie] to be as exciting for her as listening to Katy Perry’s new song.”
The Greatest Showman hits theaters on December 25th.
