The Greatest Showman 2 could be edging closer to becoming a reality, as star Hugh Jackman responds positively to the idea of returning for a musical sequel. Speaking to People, Jackman replied to his co-star Michelle Williams’ recent call for a follow-up, saying that yes, he would be “open” to the idea, as long as the idea was good enough.

Jackman continued the hope for a sequel to The Greatest Showman after joking about his relationship with franchise filmmaking. “Listen, if you know anything about my filmography, you’d know I’m totally against sequels in every shape or form,” the actor jokingly said when asked about reprising the role of P.T. Barnum. “No more than nine films!”

“I’m always open, if they come up with a good idea. Yeah, I’m open!”

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Of course, Jackman is referring to his beloved work as X-Men character, Wolverine, a role that the actor played from 2000 with the first X-Men movie through to 2017’s Logan, which brought his legacy as the Marvel character to a critically-acclaimed end.

Jackman has teased the possibility of The Greatest Showman 2 before, revealing back in 2019 that something was being worked on to continue to story of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. “The real answer is ‘could be,’ I’m not sure. I’m being completely honest with you, there is talk of something going around but no one is really sure,” the actor explained, before claiming that work may have already begun to bring the musical sequel to the silver screen. “But I think someone is working on a treatment for something… I know they are, they’re working on a treatment for something.”

Michelle Williams Wishes They Would Make The Greatest Showman 2

     20th Century Studios

Directed by Michael Gracey in his directorial debut and written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, The Greatest Showman stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, with songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The musical drops audiences in the early 1800s, and follows P.T. Barnum, a man who displays a natural talent for publicity and promotion, selling lottery tickets from a young age. After trying his hands at various jobs, P.T. turns to show business to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. Featuring catchy musical numbers, exotic performers, and daring acrobatic feats, Barnum’s mesmerizing spectacle soon takes the world by storm to become the greatest show on Earth.

Michelle Williams, who plays Barnum’s wife Charity Hallett-Barnum, recently revealed that she would return for The Greatest Showman 2 “in a heartbeat” saying, “I would make another one of those in a heartbeat. I wish they’d make a sequel.”

Continuing, the Academy Award-nominated actress said that she would love to bring that same amount of joy to audiences all over again. “That movie brought so much joy to so many people and to make people that happy, man that is a worthwhile thing to spend your time doing,” Williams said. “I really love that movie. My daughter Matilda sang those songs. My mom is still listening to that soundtrack. I love making things for kids that are full of joy and positivity.”

Now that both Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams are on board, what is the studio waiting for?