Hugh Jackman secretly begins work on The Greatest Showman sequel after huge success of first movie
HUGH Jackman has secretly begun work on a sequel to The Greatest Showman, The Sun can reveal.
Director Michael Gracey said he and the Aussie actor are laying the foundations for a follow-up after its global success.
The film was predicted to be a flop by critics on its release in late 2017. But it proved a hit and went on to become the third highest-grossing musical in history.
Jackman, 50, opened this week’s Brit Awards with a performance as circus legend PT Barnum after the soundtrack became the biggest selling album of last year on both sides of the Atlantic.
In London to support his leading man, Gracey told The Sun: “When a movie becomes as big a success as this, it’s only natural there is demand for a sequel.
“So those discussions have started and we are working on one right now.”
It is not yet known if the new film will follow on from the first or be a prequel.
Jackman is expected to lead the cast but the involvement of his co-stars Michelle Williams, Zac Efron and Keala Settle is unclear. However, acclaimed songwriting duo Pasek and Paul — behind hits including This Is Me and Never Enough — are likely to return.
Gracey also spoke of the struggles faced during eight years of trying to get The Greatest Showman made.
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He said: “There were huge doubts about it for a very long time and some backers withdrew their money.”
A Hollywood source added: “The critics hated it and it was predicted to be a massive flop. But then people power took over and there hasn’t been a box office sensation like it in years.”
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