Michael Gracey

Last updated
Michael Gracey
Michael Gracey at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
Occupation(s)Visual effects artist, filmmaker
Years active1997–present
Notable work The Greatest Showman

Michael Gracey is an Australian visual effects artist and filmmaker. He is best known for directing the film The Greatest Showman (2017).

Contents

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 with his Christmas commercials in the UK and US. [1]

Career

Gracey at the premiere of The Greatest Showman Australian Michael Gracey at The Greatest Showman Australian premiere 2.jpg
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. [2] [3]

Gracey was also slated to direct an adaptation of manga series Naruto , [4] but was replaced by Destin Daniel Cretton, [5] and an adaptation of the novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone , [6] which fell in development hell. Gracey worked for 2 years at animation and visual effects studio Animal Logic from 1994 to 1996 as an animator and visual effects compositor.

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. [7] The commercial is the salient feature of the 'Come and Say G’day' campaign. [8]

Gracey is a member of the Australian production company: FINCH. [9]

Gracey is set to direct the live action version of Tangled .

Filmography

Visual effects

YearTitleNotes
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

YearTitleDirectorProducerWriterNotes
2017 The Greatest Showman YesNoNo
2021 Pink: All I Know So Far YesYesYesDocumentary film
2024 Better Man YesYesYes

Executive producer

YearTitleNotes
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

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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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Michael Gracey joins FINCH". FilmInk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.