Hugh Jackman steps into the shoes of P.T. Barnum, the man who practically invented show business, in The Greatest Showman.
Barnum is, of course, responsible for the Big Top (Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus); he was someone with a notion to celebrate individuality and creativity, by including people ostracised by society (like The Elephant Man) in his show.
In this musical feature, Jackman gets to showcase more than his acting chops – there are 10 original numbers from Oscar-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land).
In an interview transcript provided by 20th Century Fox, the 49-year-old Australian is positive the film’s theme of acceptance and diversity will resonate with the audiences.
He said: “I understand that feeling of being isolated and lonely and feeling misunderstood, not knowing where you belong and not necessarily liking the things about you that make you feel different. That is what this movie focuses on. What I love so much about the story is that Barnum makes it possible for these people who are being shunned by society to accept themselves.
“Even Barnum himself is struggling to accept himself fully. I think it’s something that adults and young people will relate to and it’s something that everyone has to come to terms with at some point in life.
“Apart from putting a smile on people’s faces, I hope the movie will leave audiences with the idea of celebrating who you truly are and not caring about what anybody else thinks. It is about just being yourself.”
The Greatest Showman opens at cinemas nationwide on Dec 28.
Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron star in The Greatest Showman. Photo: 20th Century Fox
