Hugh Jackman has chosen Michael Gracey to direct 'The Greatest Show On Earth'.

The Australian actor has been developing the musical movie for the past couple of years along with 'Sex And The City' writer Jenny Bicks and Laurence Mark - who produced the 2009 Oscars, which Hugh hosted - and it will tell the story of entertainer Barnum's life.

Hugh is set to take on the role of Barnum, who hoaxed the gullible and created the three-ring circus.

Michael has previously only served as a visual effects supervisor on a number of projects, meaning it will be his first turn in the director's chair on a film.

Hugh is keen for Anne Hathaway - who performed a memorable duet with him on The Oscars - to take on the role of Barnum's Swedish love interest Jenny Lind, although she is yet to agree to it.

Before starting work on 'The Greatest Show On Earth', Hugh will be working on 'The Wolverine' and is set to have a starring role in Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper's big screen version of hit musical 'Les Miserables'.