Rebecca Ferguson to Play Opera Star in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH Biopic

Rebecca Ferguson is the latest to sign on for FOX's upcoming musical P.T. Barnum biopic THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH, starring Hugh Jackman.

Variety reports that Ferguson will play Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, alongside previously announced Zac Efron, Michelle Williams (CABARET, BLACKBIRD) and Zendaya.

Tony-nominated songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, behind this Broadway season's DEAR EVAN HANSEN, are writing original songs for the project, which will begin production this fall. Michael Gracey is directing the film from Michael Arndt's script.

Described as a "contemporary musical," the project is being produced by Chernin Entertainment, Laurence Mark and Jackman and has been in the works since 2009.

Jackman will portay P.T. Barnum, described as "the showman with a specialty in hoaxing a gullible public as he creates the three-ring Barnum & Bailey Circus that made him famous. Barnum gained fame as a 19th century impresario with tours of Tom Thumb and the singer Jenny Lind; he began calling it the 'Greatest Show on Earth' near the end of his career."

As previously announced, Efron will take on the role of Barnum's "right-hand man," while Williams will play Barnum's love interest. Zendaya is set to show off her acrobatic skills as a trapeze artist.

Ferguson, who just appeared in Florence Foster JENKINS, will soon be seen on the big screen in THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, LIFE and THE SNOWMAN. She also recently had a role in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION.

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