# Michael Gracey

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Michael_Gracey
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Michael_Gracey.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gracey
> Source revision: 1354507851
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Australian director

Michael Gracey Gracey at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival Born (1976-01-06) January 6, 1976 (age 50) Occupation Filmmaker Years active 1997–present Notable work The Greatest Showman (2017) Better Man (2024)

**Michael Gracey** is an Australian filmmaker. He is best known for directing the films *[The Greatest Showman](/source/The_Greatest_Showman)* and *[Better Man](/source/Better_Man_(film))*.

## Early life and career

Gracey grew up in [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne) – in Carlton then Kew – then started working in visual effects and music videos before making his reputation in advertising, gaining a name for himself with his Christmas commercials in the UK and US.[1]

Gracey worked for two years at [animation](/source/Animation) and [visual effects](/source/Visual_effects) studio Animal Logic from 1994 to 1996 as an animator and visual effects compositor.[2] He left the company to work at Complete Post, during which time Gracey met and began working with director [Baz Luhrmann](/source/Baz_Luhrmann), who invited him to work on *[Moulin Rouge!](/source/Moulin_Rouge!)*. "We worked on what we called 'visual scrapbooks'," Gracey told shots.net. "Baz would shoot some footage of [Nicole Kidman](/source/Nicole_Kidman) singing or something and we'd do little mock-ups, and cut mood reels together."[3]

## Career

Gracey at the premiere of *The Greatest Showman Australian*

Gracey made his feature [directorial debut](/source/Directorial_debut) in 2017 with *[The Greatest Showman](/source/The_Greatest_Showman)* starring [Hugh Jackman](/source/Hugh_Jackman) as [P. T. Barnum](/source/P._T._Barnum).[4][5]

Gracey was also slated to direct an adaptation of manga series *[Naruto](/source/Naruto)*,[6] but was replaced by [Destin Daniel Cretton](/source/Destin_Daniel_Cretton),[7] and an adaptation of the novel *[Daughter of Smoke and Bone](/source/Daughter_of_Smoke_and_Bone)*,[8] which fell in [development hell](/source/Development_hell).

In 2022, Gracey directed a short film for Tourism Australia, *G'Day*, starring [Rose Byrne](/source/Rose_Byrne) and [Will Arnett](/source/Will_Arnett), with cameos from [Hamish Blake](/source/Hamish_Blake) & [Andy Lee](/source/Andy_Lee_(comedian)).[9] The commercial is the salient feature of the '*Come and Say G’day*' campaign.[10]

Gracey is a member of the Australian production company: FINCH.[11]

Gracey directed the [Robbie Williams](/source/Robbie_Williams) biopic *[Better Man](/source/Better_Man_(film))*.[12]

Gracey is COO of the recently formed entertainment company [Gracey&CO](https://www.instagram.com/graceyandcompany?utm%20source=ig%20web%20button%20share%20sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). He is doing this alongside his sister Cassandra Gracey, who has had a successful career in the Music Industry managing the likes of Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and Simon Cowell's recently formed band [December 10](/source/December_10_(band)) - who formed off the back of his Netflix documentary ["Simon Cowell: The Next Act."](/source/Simon_Cowell%3A_The_Next_Act)

In 2026, Gacey directed an ad campaign for [South Korean](/source/South_Korea) video surveillance company [Hanwha Vision](/source/Hanwha_Vision) for their new "Proactive Vision Intelligence" product featuring [Amanda Seyfried](/source/Amanda_Seyfried). [13]

## Filmography

**Visual effects**

Year Title Notes 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**

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes 2017 The Greatest Showman Yes No No 2021 Pink: All I Know So Far Yes Yes Yes Documentary film 2024 Better Man Yes Yes Yes TBA Tangled Yes No No Live-action adaptation of Tangled (2010)[14]

**Executive producer**

Year Title Notes 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**

- *[The Square](/source/The_Square_(2008_film))* (2008)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Maddox, Garry (20 December 2017). ["How first-time Australian director Michael Gracey landed a Hollywood musical"](https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/how-firsttime-australian-director-michael-gracey-landed-a-hollywood-musical-20171219-h07567.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211227104509/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/how-firsttime-australian-director-michael-gracey-landed-a-hollywood-musical-20171219-h07567.html) from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Green, Ricki (22 October 2020). ["Michael Gracey joins FINCH"](https://campaignbrief.com/michael-gracey-joins-finch/). *Campaign Brief*. Retrieved 11 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Edwards, Danny (7 October 2009). ["Michael Gracey"](https://www.shots.net/news/view/65722-michael-gracey). *Shots Magazine*. Retrieved 11 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** McClintock, Pamela; Kit, Borys (17 August 2011). ["Michael Gracey to Direct 'The Greatest Showman on Earth'"](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-gracey-direct-greatest-showman-224459). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170304115337/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-gracey-direct-greatest-showman-224459) from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Lipshutz, Jason (28 February 2017). ["What 'La La Land' Hath Wrought: The 15 Biggest Movie Musicals Coming Soon"](http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7708972/upcoming-movie-musicals-la-la-land-disney). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170304114620/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/7708972/upcoming-movie-musicals-la-la-land-disney) from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** McNary, Dave (31 July 2015). ["Lionsgate Ramping Up 'Naruto' Movie with Michael Gracey"](https://variety.com/2015/film/news/lionsgate-naruto-movie-micahel-gracey-1201554281/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170103/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/lionsgate-naruto-movie-micahel-gracey-1201554281/) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kit, Borys (23 February 2024). ["'Naruto' Movie in the Works with Destin Daniel Cretton Writing and Directing"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naruto-movie-in-the-works-1235833511/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240223193438/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naruto-movie-in-the-works-1235833511/) from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kit, Borys (3 December 2013). ["Michael Gracey Set to Direct Universal's 'Daughter of Smoke & Bone' Adaptation"](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-gracey-set-direct-universals-661636). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170304115042/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-gracey-set-direct-universals-661636) from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Australia's new short film invites you to Come and Say G'day"](https://drifttravel.com/australias-new-short-film-invites-you-to-come-and-say-gday/). *Drift Travel Magazine*. 20 October 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221022092011/https://drifttravel.com/australias-new-short-film-invites-you-to-come-and-say-gday/) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Green, Ricki (20 October 2022). ["Tourism Australia invites the world to 'Come and Say G'day' in global campaign"](https://campaignbrief.com/tourism-australia-invites-the-world-to-come-and-say-gday-in-global-campaign-via-mc-saatchi/). *Campaign Brief*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221019220055/https://campaignbrief.com/tourism-australia-invites-the-world-to-come-and-say-gday-in-global-campaign-via-mc-saatchi/) from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Michael Gracey joins FINCH"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221022092015/https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/michael-gracey-joins-finch). *FilmInk*. Archived from [the original](https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/michael-gracey-joins-finch/) on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Laffly, Tomris (23 December 2024). ["'Better Man' Director Michael Gracey Explains How Robbie Williams Saved 'The Greatest Showman'"](https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/michael-gracey-interview-better-man-robbie-williams-hugh-jackman-1235079339/). *IndieWire*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Hanwha Vision Now You See"](https://hanwhavisionamerica.com/now-you-see/). Retrieved 11 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Williams, Sophie (14 December 2024). ["Disney's Live-Acction Tangled is Happening-Michael Gracey in Discussions to Direct"](https://maxblizz.com/disneys-live-action-tangled-is-happening-michael-gracey-in-discussions-to-direct/). *Maxblizz*.

## External links

- [Michael Gracey](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1243905/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Profile at Partizan production company](https://www.partizan.com/director/michael-gracey)

- [Profile at Moth Projects](http://www.mothprojects.com/directors/michael-gracey-director)

v t e Films directed by Michael Gracey The Greatest Showman (2017) Pink: All I Know So Far (2021) Better Man (2024)

Awards for Michael Gracey v t e AACTA Award for Best Direction Peter Weir (1971) Tim Burstall (1972) Eric Porter (1973) John Power (1974/1975) Fred Schepisi (1976) Bruce Beresford (1977) Phillip Noyce (1978) Gillian Armstrong (1979) Bruce Beresford (1980) Peter Weir (1981) George Miller (1982) Carl Schultz (1983) Paul Cox (1984) Ray Lawrence (1985) Nadia Tass (1986) John Duigan (1987) Vincent Ward (1988) Fred Schepisi (1989) Ray Argall (1990) Jocelyn Moorhouse (1991) Baz Luhrmann (1992) Jane Campion (1993) Rolf de Heer (1994) Michael Rymer (1995) Scott Hicks (1996) Bill Bennett (1997) Rowan Woods (1998) Gregor Jordan (1999) Andrew Dominik (2000) Ray Lawrence (2001) Ivan Sen (2002) Sue Brooks (2003) Cate Shortland (2004) Sarah Watt (2005) Rolf de Heer and Peter Djigirr (2006) Tony Ayres (2007) Elissa Down (2008) Warwick Thornton (2009) David Michôd (2010) Justin Kurzel (2011) Wayne Blair (2012) Baz Luhrmann (2013) Jennifer Kent (2014) George Miller (2015) Mel Gibson (2016) Garth Davis (2017) Warwick Thornton (2018) Jennifer Kent (2019) Shannon Murphy (2020) Justin Kurzel (2021) Baz Luhrmann (2022) Danny and Michael Philippou (2023) Michael Gracey (2024) Danny and Michael Philippou (2025) v t e AACTA International Award for Best Direction Michel Hazanavicius (2011) David O. Russell (2012) Alfonso Cuarón (2013) Alejandro G. Iñárritu (2014) George Miller (2015) Mel Gibson (2016) Christopher Nolan (2017) Alfonso Cuarón (2018) Quentin Tarantino (2019) Chloé Zhao (2020) Denis Villeneuve (2021) Baz Luhrmann (2022) Christopher Nolan (2023) Michael Gracey (2024) Paul Thomas Anderson (2025)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michael Gracey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gracey) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gracey?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.