That Time Hugh Jackman Threatened To Leave The Greatest Showman, And How His Director Convinced Him To Stay

Few would dispute the assertion that Hugh Jackman is undeniably among the most prominent figures in the movie industry today. His performance as the iconic X-Men character Wolverine, recently reprised for the 2024 summer hit Deadpool and Wolverine, has undoubtedly played a significant role in this achievement. However, Jackman’s success extends far beyond the realm of superheroes. He was nominated for an Oscar for his work in Les Miserables, has hosted the Oscars themselves, collaborated with renowned filmmakers, and has amassed over $7.5 billion in global box office earnings. A substantial portion of this total can be attributed to Michael Gracey’s 2017 musical The Greatest Showman, a project Jackman nearly abandoned before its completion.

Michael Gracey is currently promoting his newest musical project, “Better Man,” which is an extraordinary biopic about the renowned UK vocalist Robbie Williams. This film chronicles his journey from his initial days as a Take That band member, through some challenging times. In a recent, exclusive interview with TopMob, Gracey shared some details about his own professional struggles and recounted a tale of Hugh Jackman giving him a chance as a less experienced director, initially considering abandoning the project.

According to Gracey:

In my debut movie, there was a pivotal instance, one that I’m comfortable discussing since Hugh has mentioned it in his interviews, where Hugh contemplated leaving The Greatest Showman. Had Hugh departed from The Greatest Showman, the film as we know it wouldn’t have been made. It was only brought to life because he supported me, a newcomer director, to take on a massive original musical. At that point in time, this project was not appealing to anyone. However, there came a time, following numerous years of development and countless setbacks, when Hugh told me he was leaving the project. I had to persuade him to stay involved with the film.

It’s clear that the film’s success is attributed to Hugh Jackman’s role in the musical based on P.T. Barnum’s life, as it was one of Jackman’s highest-grossing films. Boasting tunes from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, The Greatest Showman turned into an unstoppable force, captivating audiences and raking in $459 million globally against a production budget of $84 million. Surprisingly, its success was almost thwarted, as stated by director Michael Gracey. Therefore, we can credit him for this hit tune.

If you enjoyed “The Greatest Showman” starring Hugh Jackman, you might be interested in watching “Better Man”. This film offers the same captivating musical performances that were present in the previous one. However, what makes it unique is that its spectacle revolves around Robbie Williams’ music and persona. As a result, Gracey has crafted a lively pop entertainment unlike any other movie currently available.

In the meantime, why not browse our handy guide for the forthcoming 2025 films set to hit cinemas over the coming weeks and months, so you can schedule your next visit to the movie theater.

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2025-01-10 01:37