THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

[ruby]

Jul 16, 2016 18:07:42 GMT -5 jo said:

Waiting for news on the JENNY casting! Hope it comes soon!

It's about 2 1/2 months to go before start of filming -- that is the only missing key casting news left ...and then


Jo

Since Michelle Williams is Hughs love interest, isn't that most likely Jenny?

[jo]

Michelle Williams is playing the role of Barnum's wife Charity.

The Jenny Lind role is still awaiting casting.


Jo

[jo]

Per IMDB Pro, the film project GREATEST SHOWMAN is now in pre-production status!


And the regular IMDB Page is now reporting the following update --

Production Notes from IMDbPro
Status: Pre-production | See complete list of in-production titles »
Comments: Casting has started.
Updated: 13 July 2016
More Info: See more production information about this title on IMDbPro.

Jo

[jo]

Casting calls have started -- access to info for actors/members only :

www.actorsaccess.com/projects/?view=breakdowns®ion=2&page=5

07/18/16
8:03 AM THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH (AA Release) Feature Film Telsey + Company Casting SAG-AFTRA

[jo]

www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pitch-perfect-3-rumors-zac-efron-to-play-younger-brother-of-adam-devines-bumper-character/48458.htm

Hmm... someone is trying to create intrigues


Jo

[jo]

Indications are that WOLVERINE 3 filming may have wrapped this weekend ( and Hugh posted that "THANK YOU TO NEW MEXICO " Instagram image and message). So, it looks like the next project on deck ( after Hugh takes a long well-earned rest - filming an action movie is never easy! ) will be THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH!  It has been his passion project for so long ( think even earlier than A STEADY RAIN timing) -- so he will likely be eager to move on after his much-deserved break!

But what a change ( from a superhero on his farewell story with action and angst... to an impresario who sings and dances) almost at the blink of an eye -- only the most versatile actors can do that  

But we do not know what the storyline will be ( even if we have read Phineas Taylor's own autobiography) -- except that we know it is a musical biopic whose final screenplay has been written by Oscar winner Michael Arndt, with initial writing done by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon ( who is directing the new movie musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast...and who also directed Dreamgirls). We have not heard the musical score composed by upcoming composers Pasek and Paul ( whose successful off-Broadway show DEAR EVAN HANSEN will open on Broadway later this year) except for the song debuted by Hugh Jackman in his concert series called THIS IS ME ( ironically not meant for Barnum, but for circus freaks ).

Maybe the screenplay will have more drama in it and more interesting characterizations ? Hopefully, the songs will also carry a message of both drama and spectacle! And maybe the dance and spectacle numbers will be awesome!

In the meantime, some of us may have known about the first BARNUM musical. It was simply called BARNUM and it has been performed both on Broadway ( with Jim Daly and Glenn Close) and in London at the West End ( with Michael Crawford). The basic bones of the storyline will likely carry much similarity with the forthcoming movie musical ... but the musical score will be entirely different...and maybe so will the dance routines and spectacle numbers ( when you think of it, maybe if the spectacles are as dramatic ...or even more...as in the following upload, there is really need to have physically agile performers in the cast ...so the action movie connection is not farfetched ).

Here's the full musical (it's the London production, not as incorrectly described as the Broadway staging), uploaded on YouTube -- it is about 1 hour and 49 minutes long!





Jo

[jo]

BACKSTAGE, an actors casting site, summarizes details on the casting for GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH --

www.backstage.com/news/casting/why-3-musical-theater-stars-are-heading-fox/

Casting News

Why 3 Musical Theater Stars Are Heading to Fox

By Rebecca Welch | Posted July 25, 2016, 4:30 p.m.



Roaring lions, clowns on unicycles, and trapeze swingers are just a few of the circus staples that could be attributed to P.T. Barnum, and 20th Century Fox wants to delve deeper into who some consider to be “The Greatest Showman on Earth.” Come one and come all! This semi-biographical film about the famous showman, who created the three-ring circus, will follow his financial downfall after he invites Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind stateside to perform a series of concerts. The film, cast by noted casting experts Telsey + Company, will feature its own musical element with some veterans of the genre: The cast of songbirds currently includes Hugh Jackman as Barnum, Michelle Williams as Lind, Zendaya, and Zac Efron, heading back to his “High School Musical” roots. Filming on the project is set to begin in the fall around late October in New York, with rehearsals beginning in September.

*They seemed to have based their storyline on the old published details which talked about the angle on the infatuation with Jenny Lind. According to updates on the script, the focus of the movie has de-emphasized the Jenny Lind story and is giving the spotlight to how Barnum formed the famous circus.

*The casting of Jenny Lind has not been completed, from what I hear. Michelle Williams is playing the role of Charity, Barnum's wife.

*No word yet on whether any of the Broadway actors who were part of the reading will be part of the movie musical.

*Most importantly, it looks like the project is generally on schedule -- with filming in NYC starting in late October ( or maybe early November?) The start of rehearsals will be some time in September, which gives Hugh a time to recharge after what may have been exhausting WOLVERINE 3 filming.

*Not indicated is the studio recording of the songs ( it is NOT going to be live-singing as in Les Miserables) which will be needed prior to filming ( where the actors will presumably act and lip-synch at the same time). But this would be the recorded songs that will form the soundtrack for the movie, which expectedly will also be released


Jo

[jo]

I was looking over old notes on this particular thread ... and came upon this --

Back in 1870, P.T. had branched out into a new business — P.T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Hippodrome. It was a combination of traveling circus, menagerie and traveling museum of what was then called freaks. The name later was changed to P.T. Barnum’s Traveling World’s Fair, Great Roman Hippodrome and Greatest Show on Earth. When he merged with the circus of James Bailey in 1881, it became Barnum and Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth.

Oops, I have always thought that the title for this film project was a take from that old movie THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, not realizing that it was actually a name used by Barnum himself! So, no whiff of being a copycat here


Jo

[jo]

Lovely photo of Michelle!

[jo]

Early pre-production work is underway, per IMDB notes --

Location Management

Jennifer Mary Mears ... location scout



The Greatest Showman on Earth (location scout) (pre-production)

[jo]

People ask if ZENDAYA is more than just a pop artist.

Devin Faraci ( who wrote that beautiful love letter-review of THE FOUNTAIN) gives us some reassurance in this tweet --

devin faraci ‏@devincf · 1h1 hour ago

So if you're like "Can she act?" (because Marvel's casting has been so bad before, I guess?) - yes, she is good in the role.


devin faraci ‏@devincf · 1h1 hour ago

BTW, I was at SDCC where they showed SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING footage and Zendaya was really good in it.

[hughmanity]

So Zendaya has been confirmed for new Spiderman movie, expected to start shooting soon (July, 2017 release date). Wonder what this means for her possible involvement in Showman.

[jo]

Principal photography (aka filming) for SPIDERMAN HOMECOMING is already underway, per Wikipedia --

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Homecoming

Principal photography began in June 2016 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia...
Spider-Man: Homecoming is scheduled to be released on July 7, 2017 in the United States in 3D, IMAX and IMAX 3D.

This is likely true because footage was already shown at SDCC in San Diego in July ( per Devin Faraci).


From what I hear, SHOWMAN is not expected to start actual filming till later in the year. Studio recording ( for the songs) will start before filming, though...after pre-production starts. Hugh is still in Australia, so he is probably still on his break before he gets to the SHOWMAN project, initially for pre-production.

Besides, it is likely that Zendaya's role in SHOWMAN will be more featured than lead and she will not be needed in the full filming schedule.

SHOWMAN will not be released till December 2017, compared to the July 2017 release date for SPIDERMAN.

Jo

[hughmanity]

Great opportunities for this young lady. Good for her.

[jo]

Darren Criss shares his playlists, as Billboard's Guest --


www.billboard.com/articles/news/playlists/7486863/darren-criss-elsie-fest-playlist-takeover-tuesday

7. Hugh Jackman – “Not the Boy Next Door” (from The Boy From Oz): Yes. The Huge, Jacked Man himself (of X-Men fame) won a Tony for playing Peter Allen in 2003’s The Boy From Oz. And by this point, he was already a pretty big movie star. The fact that he has always been able to dance (literally) between Broadway and blockbuster gigs so seamlessly has proven through the years that he is definitely not the boy next door.

15. Zac Efron – “Ladies’ Choice” (from Hairspray): Let’s not forget that this mega-star got his start from the ol’ song-'n'-dance game. After High School Musical, Hairspray was the last time we got to see him on the big screen rockin’ a musical number. When you watch him, you go, “Oh yeah, duh, that’s why he’s a mega-star.” Lookin’ forward to when he gets back to it with Hugh Jackman in the upcoming original movie musical The Greatest Showman on Earth. Gonna be sweeeeeet.

[jo]

Casting calls for minor roles -- with very specific requirements as performers in the circus!

www.auditionsfree.com/2016/video-auditions-hugh-jackman-movie-greatest-showman-earth/

Video Auditions for Hugh Jackman Movie, “The Greatest Showman on Earth”


08/25/2016

Auditions announced for upcoming Hugh Jackman movie, “The Greatest Showman on Earth”




The film’s cast also includes Zac Efron, Zendaya and Michelle Williams. The 20th Century FOX film is looking for additional cast members and there is a casting call going on now. The principal roles being cast are quite specific and actors fitting the role descriptions are welcome to submit a self taped, video audition.

The movie covers showman P.T. Barnum as he creates Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1881. The roles up for grabs are those of circus performers, specifically, O’Clancy, the tallest man on Earth, General Tom Thumb and The Lord of Leeds. Casting directors with Telsey and Company are now accepting self taped auditions from actors that fit the descriptions which are listed below.

“The Greatest Showman on Earth” is described as the story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.



According to the movie’s IMDB page, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is an original musical inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman. Barnum was a visionary who rose from nothing to create the “Greatest Show on Earth,” a spectacle and celebration of his larger-than-life imagination that captivated audiences around the globe. Deadline reports that Hugh Jackman will be playing P.T. Barnum in the film. Zendaya, who also stars in the upcoming Spider-Man movie, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” will be playing a major role as Zac Efrons girl friend. By the way, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is also now in production and has been releasing numerous casting calls for background roles.

The film is being produced by Chernin Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. “The Greatest Showman on Earth” is currently scheduled to hit theaters around Christmas 2017.



Please note that the below listed roles are the only ones being cast through this casting call. Interested actors may see the below casting notice for role descriptions and further information.

[jo]

The incoming Chairman/CEO of FOX is taking over sooner than expected. Stacey Snider to take over from Jim Gianopulos by September 1, 2016!


www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-fox-stacey-snider-20160823-snap-story.html#nt=oft13a-4gp1

This will place the film project THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH directly under her watch - from Pre-production to principal photograpy, to post-production, to marketing/ distribution/ release in December 2017!


She will also be directly responsible for the final shape, marketing, and release of WOLVERINE 3!

Jo

[jo]

More casting calls --

Castivate ‏@castivateapp · 7h7 hours ago

#actors #actresses its your chance to #act alongside #HughJackman in his newest #FeatureFilm download @castivateapp

[jo]

Official synopsis from 20th Century Fox ( posted on IMDB) --

Storyline

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is an original musical inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman. Barnum was a visionary who rose from nothing to create the "Greatest Show on Earth," a spectacle and celebration of his larger-than-life imagination that captivated audiences around the globe. Also starring Michelle Williams, Zac Efron and Zendaya. Written by 20th Century Fox

Also categorized by IMDB itself --

Genres: Biography | Drama | Musical

[jo]

Competition from mid-December 2017!

DECEMBER 2017

Friday
15
NEW IN THEATERS ACTORS DISTRIBUTOR RELEASE
Star Wars: Episode VIII
Sci-Fi Fantasy John Boyega
Daisy Ridley
Anthony Daniels Buena Vista Wide



Friday
22
NEW IN THEATERS ACTORS DISTRIBUTOR RELEASE
Pitch Perfect 3
Comedy Anna Kendrick
Rebel Wilson Universal Wide
The Six Billion Dollar Man
Action Mark Wahlberg Weinstein / Dimension Wide
The Story of Ferdinand
Animation - Fox Wide
Untitled PG-13 Comedy
Comedy - Warner Bros. Wide



Wednesday
27
NEW IN THEATERS ACTORS DISTRIBUTOR RELEASE
The Greatest Showman on Earth (on Mon.)
Musical Hugh Jackman Fox Wide

It is going to be rough!

Not only is STAR WARS going to be released a little less than two weeks from the release date of SHOWMAN, there are also PITCH PERFECT ( December 22)...and another Fox movie on December 22, also on wide release ( animation movie).

Btw, there have been no announced releases by any studio/distributor for the last week of November and the first two weeks of December, until STAR WARS claim its date.

I wonder why Fox is doing another wide release just 3 days before the release of SHOWMAN?? It is probably counter-programming to the onslaught of STAR WARS...but still...

Jo

[jo]

It looks like there was a switching of release dates. Fox was supposed to release another animation movie at that time but there is an expected delay.

‘Croods 2’ Release Pushed Back to 2018

10 August 2016 7:26 AM, PDT | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »



Fox has moved DreamWorks Animation’s family film “The Croods 2” from 2017 to an unknown date in 2018.

The animated film had been set to hit theaters on Dec. 22, 2017, but Fox has moved its own “The Story of Ferdinand” into that slot. Based on the classic 1936 children’s book, “Ferdinand” was previously set to open July 21, 2017.

Fox has handled DreamWorks Animation’s release slate since 2013, starting with “The Croods,” but it’s uncertain how much longer it will do so following Comcast-owned NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation in April. The $3.8 billion deal is expected to close by the end of the year with Jeffrey Katzenberg stepping down as CEO to pursue new ventures.

Three other DreamWorks movies are set to be released through — “Trolls” on Nov. 4; “Boss Baby” on March 31, 2017; and “Captain Underpants” on June 2, 2017. Universal had no comment on “The Croods 2.”

“The Croods,” produced for $135 million, was a major success, »

- Dave McNary

So, maybe SHOWMAN was always in line for some direct competition from an animated movie

Okay, which will a child prefer -- an animation movie or a movie about the circus? Maybe Hugh should have not only Zac and Zendaya for the promo tour but also an elephant and a tiger/lion along


Jo

[jo]

A new musical LA LA LAND opened the Venice Film Festival. Will it pave the way for more movie musicals?

Variety writes a very lengthy review --

variety.com/2016/film/reviews/la-la-land-review-venice-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-1201846576/


In conclusion --

La La Land” starts as a twinkly fantasy of sophisticated innocence, cut with a bit of modern L.A. sass (especially in Mia’s casually cruel audition scenes). In its second half, though, the film gives itself over to a slightly murky version of the art-vs.-commerce theme. Should Sebastian even be in this band? Oddly, it’s Mia who suddenly says that he shouldn’t (she’s bothered by his relentless touring schedule), and the two get into a fight about it. It’s portrayed as one of those things that just happens between a couple, but given that Sebastian was trying to step up and grow up, on some basic level it’s a little hard to buy that Mia is now the purist. But then, it turns out that her own purity is going to take her far. She just needs a little prodding.

As their fortunes start to seesaw, the film acquires some of the stormy turbulence of “A Star Is Born” (and maybe a few glimmers of the doubt and disconnection of “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”). But all of that feels a little discordant. Chazelle wants to make a musical that celebrates the classic Hollywood vision of love as spiritual perfection. But he also wants to make an age-of-alienation love story that undercuts the old simplicities. He has the right to do both; in a sense, that’s what “Moulin Rouge!” did. But the form he’s chosen may not be as conducive to the emotional complexity he’s after. “La La Land” has one too many moody solos and duets; in a funny way, it ceases to be a big-scale musical. And given the vibrant lushness of the film’s first half, there’s a tinge of disappointment built into that. Chazelle sticks to the bittersweet truth of the story he’s telling, but there’s a part of you that wants to see him shoot the works, to make good on that opening sequence by topping it. “La La Land” isn’t a masterpiece (and on some level it wants to be). Yet it’s an exciting ramble of a movie, ardent and full of feeling, passionate but also exquisitely — at times overly — controlled. It winds up swimming in melancholy, yet its most convincing pleasures are the moments when it lifts the audience into a state of old-movie exaltation, leading us to think, “What a glorious feeling. I’m happy again.”

Here's a review roundup of the musical --


www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-LA-LA-LAND-Marks-Return-of-the-Movie-Musical-20160831

[jo]

GREATEST SHOWMAN's direct competition is PITCH PERFECT 3. It lost its first director ( who directed the successful sequel) and its playdate moved to December 22, 2107 ( 3 days before the Christmas Day release for SHOWMAN... and actually going in direct competition with a FOX animation movie called FERDINAND). It has now found a replacement --


collider.com/pitch-perfect-3-director-trish-sie/

If the link is not working, here are the key excerpts --

"That left Universal’s follow-up in need of a director and fast, given that the project’s initial Summer 2017 release date had already been pushed back to a potentially lucrative December 22, 2017 bow. But now Universal has found Banks’ replacement, and it’s someone who knows her way around a song.

Per Variety, Step Up All In director Trish Sie is set to take the helm of Pitch Perfect 3, marking only her second feature film effort as a filmmaker. A professional dancer and choreographer by trade, Sie helmed the fifth installment in the Step Up franchise, but her resume is more impressive for her music video work. Indeed, Sie helped create, choreograph, and co-direct the treadmill-centric OK Go music video for “Here It Goes Again”, and went on to direct a number of the band’s other similarly impressive music videos like “A Million Ways” and “Upside Down & Inside Out”. So clearly she knows how to craft a show-stopping routine...

Her background sounds very similar to that of Michael Gracey - so the competition is going to be on a few levels.

The series seems pitched to the younger crowd -- I guess that could be addressed by SHOWMAN with the casting of Zac Efron and Zendaya, even if the latter's roles could be more dramatic ? Interesting that Anna Kendrick is now 31 years old, Brittany Snow is 30, Rebel Wilson is 36, all signed up for this sequel ( unless they change the script to years after university for this sequel), all older than Zac ( 28) and Zendaya (20). Even more interesting ( assuming the new director emphasizes her background in strong choreography in this sequel) is whether Anna, Brittany, and Rebel can actually be as excellent dancers as Zac and Zendaya...or even Uncle Hugh



Jo

[jo]

Hugh's back in NYC - but I can't post his tweet/Instagram entry. Such a beautiful shot of Midnight Manhattan!

Does his break continue or is Producer Jackman ready to start pre-production for Greatest Showman?.

Can't do too much posting in the next few days

Jo

[jo]

Or was that Manhattan at dusk (despite the moon ) -- did Hugh feel like singing Peter Allen's Oscar winner about being "between the moon and New York City" ?