Are you excited for people to finally see the film?

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How did you first get involved in the project?

Originally, Hugh Jackman brought me the script.

Hugh, to his credit, sent me this script and said he thought it could be really special.

If youre using hit songs, youre halfway home.

We wanted to sit somewhere in the middle.

People can say what they like about the film, but the music is exceptional.

That to be was why we spent so many years writing and rewriting.

How did the timing work out?

Did the films come before the songs or the other way around?

With very early scripts, Id put in placeholders where I thought the songs should go.

Its not genius, for me you sing when words no longer suffice.

At an emotional low or high you break into song.

It was a real back and forth.

We learnt so much from those workshops.

How did the casting come about?

Zac Efron was a really interesting one.

He sings and dances in this film better than he ever has.

He came on board very early on and was incredibly supportive of the film.

Its very inspiring to meet someone that young who really knows who they are and what they want.

Did you have any big influences?

When you rewatch those films you know every single song.

To emulate that in a contemporary setting was a big point of reference.

Wardrobe as well, it was all about palette.

If you look at those classic MGM films there are such distinctive colours.

Again, it was using cutting edge technology to emulate traditional techniques.

In truth they were the only people there for him when he lost it all.

Clearly the oddities fell in love with Barnum, and what hed given them.

With what he had created in this place where they were celebrated and where they found their own family.

Its a really good question.

It is a huge risk, and credit to Fox for taking that risk.

People forget that even the biggest hit shows, likeHamilton, started off-Broadway.

Thats still just one theatre in New York City.

The studio is taking that same risk but theyre releasing it in theatres across the entire world.

Michael Gracey, thank you very much!

The Greatest Showmanis in UK cinemas now.