Michael Gracey Archives - Big Gay Picture Show

New The Greatest Showman Trailer – Hugh Jackman & Zac Efron enter a musical big top

November 13, 2017 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Despite the success of La La Land, big, Hollywood original musicals are still a rare thing. However, Hugh Jackman has one up his sleeve with The Greatest Showman, which even has songs from the team that created the La La Land tunes. A new trailer has arrived which suggests this could be a really good and pretty spectacular movie – although it does seem Hugh Jackman has now started aging backwards.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘“The Greatest Showman” is a bold and original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. “The Greatest Showman” is directed by exciting new filmmaker, Michael Gracey, with songs by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land”) and starring Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman. Jackman is joined by Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron and Rebecca Ferguson.’

The film will arrive in UK cinemas in on December 26th. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

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ACTORS: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Greatest Showman On Earth

The Greatest Showman Trailer – Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams & Zac Efron enter a musical big top

June 28, 2017 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Despite the success of La La Land, big, Hollywood original musicals are still a rare thing. However, Hugh Jackman has one up his sleeve with The Greatest Showman, which even has songs from the team that created the tunes on La La Land. The first trailer suggest that while it may not exactly be historically accurate, it could be a lot of fun.

The film will arrive in UK cinemas in on January 1st, 2018. Take a look at the first trailer below. [Read more…]

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ACTORS: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Greatest Showman On Earth

Rebecca Ferguson Up For Hugh Jackman’s Musical The Greatest Showman

September 7, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

When it was announced that Michelle Williams was joining the PT Barnum musical biopic The Greatest Showman, many assumed she would be playing Swedish opera star Jenny Lind. However, that role is actually going to Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation’s Rebecca Ferguson, according the Variety.

As well as Ferguson and Williams, the cast also include Zendaya, Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman, as Barnum. The film will focus life of Barnum, who was known for his elaborate hoaxes before creating the three-ring circus. He also spent a lot of time pining for Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, and it’s believed this relationship will be the central spine of the movie.

Michael Gracey is attached to direct. The project has been in the works for over five years, but apparently Fox has now made it a priority, partly because they know what a passion project it is for Jackman. It should start filming this autumn.

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ACTORS: Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman, Zendaya DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Greatest Showman On Earth

Michelle Williams May Join Barnum Biopic Greatest Showman On Earth

July 6, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Hugh Jackman has been working on the musical PT Barnum biopic Greatest Showman On Earth for a long time, but it’s only now that it’s finally moving towards shooting. They’re currently busy filling out the cast, with Zac Efron starting negotiations to appear a couple of weeks ago.

Now THR reports that Michelle Williams is also in talks for the movie. Williams has previously shown off hr singing skills in Dawson’s Creek, My Week With Marilyn and on Broadway in Cabaret, so she’s certainly had plenty of practice for a movie musical.

The film will life of Barnum, who was known for his elaborate hoaxes before creating the three-ring circus. The story will also look at his pining for Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind (the role that presumably Williams is in talks for). It’s not clear who Efron would play.

Michael Gracey is attached to direct. The project has been in the works for over five years, but apparently Fox has now made is a priority, partly because they know what a passion project it is for Jackman.

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ACTORS: Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Greatest Showman On Earth

Zac Efron In Talks For P.T. Barnum Biopic The Greatest Showman On Earth

June 18, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

For the past couple of years Zac Efron has mainly been trapped in grossout comedy and rom-com land, but now he’s in talks for something a little different, the long gestating P.T. Barnum Biopic The Greatest Showman On Earth, according to Variety. Hugh Jackman is still attached to play the lead role.

The Greatest Showman On Earth is envisioned as a musical about the life of Barnum, who was known for his elaborate hoaxes before creating the three-ring circus. The story will also look at his pining for Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind. It’s not clear who Efron would play.

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ACTORS: Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Greatest Showman On Earth

Tom Hardy Confirmed For Elton John Biopic, Rocketman

October 23, 2013 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Back in May, Tom Hardy was rumoured to be circling the lead in the planned biopic of Elton John, Rocketman. Now ScreenDaily confirms the news, as Focus Features has just picked up the movie and says that Hardy is indeed set to star.

Michael Gracey will direct from a screenplay by Lee Hall. It’s previously been reported that the movie will follow Elton John’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records that just about any musical artist of his era. It will also feature some more fantastical elements and plenty of the singer’s music, in keeping with John’s larger than life personality.

Steve Hamilton Shaw of Elton’s Rocket Pictures comments, “Tom is a stellar talent who will add extraordinary depth and nuance in bringing Elton’s story to life,” said Shaw. “We are excited to have such a gifted actor on board, and equally excited to be in the hands of Peter Schlessel and the entire Focus Features team.”

Hardy is certainly an interesting choice, and hopefully it’ll allow him to show off the more playful slightly camp side that’s sometimes on display in interviews, rather than the hard man we normally see on screen.

The film will shoot during autumn 2014.

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ACTORS: Tom Hardy, Elton John DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: Rocketman, Rocket Man

FilmNation & Icon Sign Up To Back Elton John Biopic Rocketman

June 14, 2013 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

A few days ago we reported that Tom Hardy was being eyed to play the lead role in the Elton John biopic, Rocketman. While there’s still no news on whether he’ll take the role, the film has moved a little further towards the big screen, as Empire reports that FilmDistrict has signed up to distribute the film in the US. That comes hot on the heels of a Cannes deal, where Icon’s production arm AI agreed to co-finance the movie.

It’s still early days though, so don’t expect it for a while yet. When it does appear though it should follow Elton’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records that just about any musical artist of his era. It will also feature some more fantastical elements and plenty of the singer’s music, in keeping with John’s larger than life personality.

Music video helmer Michael Gracey is set to direct. Hopefully it won’t take too much longer until it goes in front of the cameras.

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DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: Rocketman, Rocket Man

Is Tom Hardy Being Eyed For Elton John Biopic, Rocket Man?

May 30, 2013 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

For the last year or so, Elton John and David Furnish have been working on a biopic of the singer, called Rocket Man. A couple of months ago, Michael Gracey signed up to direct and it appears they’re now looking for their leading man.

If HitFix is to be believed, a perhaps surprising name is at the top of the list – Tom Hardy. It actually makes more sense than it might appear, as Hardy is far more metrosexual than his hard man image might suggest (including a small obsession with nice shoes), and if you look at pics of Elton back in the 70s, it wouldn’t be as enormous transformation for Tom as it might first appear.

At the moment it doesn’t appear a formal offer has been made, and there’s no word either of how interested Hardy may be.

It’s previously been reported that the movie will follow Elton John’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records that just about any musical artist of his era. It will also feature some more fantastical elements and plenty of the singer’s music, in keeping with John’s larger than life personality.

Justin Timberlake was previously rumoured for the main role, but that always appeared like it was more wishful thinking that reality. At the moment, we’ll just have to see if Hardy does end up being a Rocket Man.

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ACTORS: Tom Hardy DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: Rocket Man

Elton John Biopic, Rocketman, Gets Director Michael Gracey

March 19, 2013 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

For the last year or so, Elton John and David Furnish have been working a biopic of the music star called Rocketman. Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) has been working on the script, and now they’ve found a director, in the form of commercials and FX man Michael Gracey.

Deadline reports that the film, ‘follows John’s journey from 5-year old musical prodigy who by age 11 won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, to a young man who rebelled against his strict upbringing, wore outrageous costumes and became a global icon who teamed with songwriter Bernie Taupin to sell more records that just about any musical artist of his era’. It’s previously been said it will also include some more fantastical elements and plenty of the singer’s music, in keeping with John’s larger than life personality.

It will be Gracey’s first film as a director (unless he makes The Greatest Showman On Earth with Hugh Jackman first, which he’s also attached to), although he’s well known for both his work in visual effects and for his commercials, which often feature elaborate dance routines, making him a good choice for Rocketman.

The director commented “Everyone knows and loves Elton John’s music, but the true story of his life is so incredible that it can only be described as a fantasy. His journey from impossible dreamer to stardom and uncontrollable excess is something only a musical film can capture, and I’m so excited to be the one to tell his story.”

Casting is already underway to find someone to play Elton has a child (when he was simply Reg Dwight), and there’s no word on who might play him as an adult. Previous rumours suggested Justin Timberlake might take the role, but that was revealed to be more speculation than fact.

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DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: Rocketman

Saoirse Ronan Takes On The Order of the Seven

February 11, 2012 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Last year Hollywood feel in love with Snow White, so that this year we’re getting the gothic action tale Snow White & The Huntsman and the more comic Mirror Mirror, and there’s Disney, who’ve been developing a more off-the-wall Snow White tale. Now the latter project is moving forward, with Variety reporting Saoirse Ronan has joined The Order of the Seven, which was previously titled Snow and the Seven.

The project was initially set up as a martial arts take on Snow White, however with two movies based on the story already due to hit cinemas, the project has been reworked, cutting all overt ties to the fairy tale. Saoirse Ronan will portray Olivia Spencer, a British expatriate in Hong Kong who finds protection with a group of outlaw warriors. When an evil empress comes into power, Olivia helps the warriors reclaim their royal ties to the kingdom.

Michael Gracey, who’s best known for his TV commercials, is making his directorial debut with The Order of the Seven, with shooting scheduled to commence this autumn. It is said that Disney is hoping to raise the international appeal of The Order of the Seven by casting well-known stars from China, Russia, and Japan to play the warriors.

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ACTORS: Saoirse Ronan DIRECTORS: Michael Gracey FILMS: The Order Of The Seven