So it seems fitting that the Aussie A-lister has been cast as P.T. Barnum, the great American entrepreneur who made sideshows and circus acts into big-time entertainment and became famous in the process.

Variety reports that the 40-year-old actor will sing and dance his way through the contemporary musical big-screen biopic “The Greatest Showman on Earth.”

The screenplay is being written by “Sex and the City” alum Jenny Bicks. British singer-songwriter Mika is reportedly in talks to write music and lyrics.

Barnum’s life inspired the 1980 Broadway musical. The upcoming film will cover his career and love life, including his infatuation with singer Jenny Lind – aka the Swedish Nightingale.

The Lind role is being written, Variety notes, for Anne Hathaway, who performed with Jackman in his opening number when he hosted the Oscars.

Jackman, who stars with Daniel Craig next month in the Broadway drama “A Steady Rain,” has already proven his powers as a musical star on stage. He won a Tony for the 2003 musical “The Boy from Oz.”

Playing Aussie entertainer Peter Allen, Jackman shimmied aggressively atop a piano while sporting snug-fitting gold lame. Expect some different threads – and moves -  when he portrays the 19th Century impresario.

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