The project was first announced in 2009, with Jackman in the title role.[1] In August 2011, Fox hired commercials director and visual effects artist Michael Gracey to direct.[2] At this point, according to Entertainment Weekly, the movie was a straight biopic without any song or dance numbers, but after Gracey's suggestion the movie evolved into a musical. According to Jackman the seven year development was, in part, due to studios not willing to take a risk on an original musical. [3]