Wow, Hollywood studios might be wary of giving Baz Luhrmann the keys to big-budget films after the (seeming) failure of “Australia” (recouping seems unlikely), but regardless the Ozzie filmmaker is undeterred when it comes to making throwback period pieces.
Nikki Finke is reporting that Luhrmann’s next official project will be an adaptation (and remake) of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, “The Great Gatsby” which takes place in the jazz age of the roaring 1920s in New York’s Long Island area.
What’s more, it seems like 20th Century Fox has not soured on Luhrmann despite “Australia” likely going in the red financially and being ignored during awards season; they too will once again fund the theatrical director on this project.
“The Great Gatsby” has been made into a film several times, but the most popular and well-known version is the 1974 one, written by Francis Ford Coppola, directed by Jack Clayton and starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow and Bruce Dern.
Finke says, Luhrmann recently acquired the rights to the book and says, “My insiders confirm that Luhrmann is actively searching for a young actress to portray his Daisy, Jay Gatsby’s unrequited love” and she recommends Amy Adams which is not a bad choice at all.