Montblanc Joins Hugh Jackman in "The Greatest Showman"

In today’s show business arena, perhaps only a few has the acumen of America’s legendary showbiz legend Phineas Taylor Barnum. 

Known to the masses at P.T. Barnum and founder of the incredibly renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus, Barnum is known for his fearless views and his remarkable endeavours in transforming the showbiz sphere back in the 1800s. 

Furthermore, the man who is also credited for the coining of the well-known phrase, "There's a sucker born every minute", his journey to success was plotted with many struggles and incredible endeavours.

Born to an innkeeper father and his wife, Barnum started out as a store-keeper and by 19, he already ran several businesses such as a general store, a book auctioning trade, real estate speculation and a state-wide lottery network. 

He even started his own weekly paper called The Herald of Freedom in 1829 with controversial editorial content that made him a champion of the liberal movement.

It was his travelling circus that catapulted him to global fame ― a company that he started when he was 60  years old! Featuring a menagerie of attractions that were deemed unusual in the Victorian era such as exotic women, midgets, albinos, giants and animals, Barnum’s brand of circus subsequently set a benchmark for travelling circuses around the world. 

Though Barnum ceased walking the earth in 1891 at the ripe age of 80, his life and legacy has inspired people from all walks of life and oftentimes referenced by the Pop culture.

This December, Barnum’s colourful lifetime will be brought to life on the silver screen with The Greatest Showman. 

Produced and distributed by the Twentieth Century Fox Film, the musical film is directed by new filmmaker Michael Gracey with songs composed by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul of La La Land. 

Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. 

The star-studded cast of this bold and original musical includes Academy Award-nominee Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron and Rebecca Ferguson.

Apart from the appearance of the Australian actor as the lead character Barnum, Montblanc too is making its appearance in the movie. Two Montblanc products ― a heritage Minerva pocket watch from the Maison’s Minerva Museum in Vileret, Switzerland and a specially commissioned Meisterstück writing instrument with a ringmaster engraved on its nib ― will be seen throughout the musical film.

 

“We are delighted to support this movie as it not only features our brand ambassador Hugh Jackman but also shines a light on the cultural influence of a man who invented modern entertainment,” explains Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO. “With a history rooted in innovation, Montblanc has a tradition of celebrating those whose lives have a lasting impact on human civilization.”

For Jackman, who is the current global brand ambassador for the Hamburg-based luxury brand, Montblanc’s participation in this film certainly plays a significant role.

“This film is particularly important to me, a project that took 7 years to bring to life.” says Hugh

Jackman, “I am very excited that Montblanc is a featured part of this adventure.”

Celebrating the film’s worldwide release, Montblanc has created a special Happy Holiday Circus notebook with a yellow Saffiano calfskin leather cover. 

The stationary piece comes with a red bookmark, golden cut edges and circus design print on its cover. The product, which is part of Montblanc’s Happy Holiday campaign, will be unveiled from 1^st November onwards with dedicated Happy Holidays movie by Montblanc. 

In this movie, Jackman will be making an appearance as P. T. Barnum himself. Movie aside, look forward to special window displays at Montblanc stores as well as social media content and online advertising.

The Greatest Showman is set for global theatrical release in December 2017, and the Happy Holiday circus Fine Stationary will be available at Montblanc stores from October 2017.

*Images courtesy of Montblanc

Montblanc - Lot 2.18 & 3.20 , Level 2 & 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur,168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; 131-132A, 1st Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Lot SATP G31/37B, Satellite Bldg. KLIA, 43900 Sepang, Selangor.