Michael Gracey

Michael Gracey
Gracey at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1997–present
Notable workThe Greatest Showman

Michael Gracey is an Australian filmmaker. He is best known for directing the films The Greatest Showman and Better Man.

Early life and career

Gracey grew up in Melbourne – in Carlton then Kew – then started working in visual effects and music videos before making his reputation in advertising, gaining a name for himself with his Christmas commercials in the UK and US.[1]

Gracey worked for two years at animation and visual effects studio Animal Logic from 1994 to 1996 as an animator and visual effects compositor.[2] He left the company to work at Complete Post, during which time Gracey met and began working with director Baz Luhrmann, who invited him to work on Moulin Rouge!. "We worked on what we called 'visual scrapbooks'," Gracey told shots.net. "Baz would shoot some footage of Nicole Kidman singing or something and we'd do little mock-ups, and cut mood reels together."[3]

Career

Gracey at the premiere of The Greatest Showman Australian

Gracey made his feature directorial debut in 2017 with The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum.[4][5]

Gracey was also slated to direct an adaptation of manga series Naruto,[6] but was replaced by Destin Daniel Cretton,[7] and an adaptation of the novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone,[8] which fell in development hell.

In 2022, Gracey directed a short film for Tourism Australia, G'Day, starring Rose Byrne and Will Arnett, with cameos from Hamish Blake & Andy Lee.[9] The commercial is the salient feature of the 'Come and Say G’day' campaign.[10]

Gracey is a member of the Australian production company: FINCH.[11]

Gracey directed the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man (2024).[12] He is also set to direct the live-action version of Tangled.[13]

Filmography

Visual effects

Year Title Notes
1997 Amy Digital artist
1998 The Genie from Down Under Visual effects artist (6 episodes)
2001 Cubbyhouse Digital compositor
2002 Double Vision
2003 Ned Kelly Digital compositor – Complete Post
Visual effects supervisor – Complete 2003 Post
2005 The Magician Visual effects supervisor

Director

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2017 The Greatest Showman Yes No No
2021 Pink: All I Know So Far Yes Yes Yes Documentary film
2024 Better Man Yes Yes Yes

Executive producer

Year Title Notes
2019 Rocketman Originally attached to direct the film before being replaced by Dexter Fletcher
2023 Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie Also song lyrics

Special thanks

References

  1. ^ Maddox, Garry (20 December 2017). "How first-time Australian director Michael Gracey landed a Hollywood musical". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  2. ^ Green, Ricki (22 October 2020). "Michael Gracey joins FINCH". Campaign Brief. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  3. ^ Edwards, Danny (7 October 2009). "Michael Gracey". shots. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  4. ^ Pamela McClintock; Borys Kit (17 August 2011). "Michael Gracey to Direct 'The Greatest Showman on Earth'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  5. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (28 February 2017). "What 'La La Land' Hath Wrought: The 15 Biggest Movie Musicals Coming Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  6. ^ McNary, Dave (31 July 2015). "Lionsgate Ramping Up 'Naruto' Movie with Michael Gracey". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  7. ^ Kit, Borys (23 February 2024). "'Naruto' Movie in the Works with Destin Daniel Cretton Writing and Directing (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  8. ^ Kyt, Boris (3 December 2013). "Michael Gracey Set to Direct Universal's 'Daughter of Smoke & Bone' Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  9. ^ Staff, DRIFT (20 October 2022). "Australia's new short film invites you to Come and Say G'day". Drift Travel Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  10. ^ "UPDATED TO INCLUDE FILM: Tourism Australia invites the world to 'Come and Say G'day' in global campaign via M&C Saatchi, Sydney". Campaign Brief. 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Michael Gracey joins FINCH". FilmInk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  12. ^ Laffly, Tomris (23 December 2024). "'Better Man' Director Michael Gracey Explains How Robbie Williams Saved 'The Greatest Showman'". IndieWire.
  13. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (11 December 2024). "'Tangled' Live-Action Movie Set at Disney With 'Greatest Showman' Director Michael Gracey". Variety. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
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