P.T. Barnum, the 19th century showman extraordinaire whose name is still a byword for a big production, is set to get his own biopic, in The Greatest Show on Earth from Columbia.
Written by original Moneyball screenwriter Stan Chervin, this is the story of Barnum's early years, as he rose from shopkeeper to showman via a lottery scheme and some local politics. If it only covers Barnum's early years it's unlikely to reach the period where he founded his famous circus, but we'll have to see.
Not to be confused with the 1952 Cecil B. DeMille Oscar winner, this will be produced by Todd Garner, who just finished work on The Sorceror's Apprentice. There's no word on a director or casting yet - although, on the basis of this picture, if there's a flash-forward to Barnum's later years Jim Broadbent would be a good fit.