Michelle Williams, recently on Broadway in Blackbird, is also in negotiations to join the cast, which includes Zac Efron. Recording artist Zendaya would play Efron's girlfriend.

Featuring a script by Jenny Bicks, the film will be directed by Michael Gracey. Jackman produces with Chernin Entertainment and Laurence Mark. The film will have songs by Dear Evan Hansen's Benj Pasek and Justin Paul as well as contributions by Bonnie McKee, Brian Lapin and “Scissor Sisters” front man Jake Shears.

Jackman stars as the legendary showman, whose life was also the subject of the award-winning Broadway musical Barnum, starring Jim Dale. The film focuses on Barnum's creation of the three-ring circus as well as his relationship with “Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind. In September 2015 Hollywood Reporter announced that the film would be released December 25, 2017.