Texy Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 The Great Gatsby marks Amitabh Bachchan's first ever main stream Hollywood movie to be directed by the Oscar nominee Buz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge). Mr. Bachchan plays Meyer Wolfsheim - a Jewish man Gatsby describes as a gambler who had fixed the World Series. Wolfsheim is a clear allusion to Arnold Rothstein, a New York crime kingpin who was notoriously blamed for the Black Sox Scandal which tainted the 1919 World Series. The Principal photography began this week on Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' The Great Gatsby. The film is a new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel from the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann. The filmmaker will create his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the title role. The Great Gatsby follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles. Academy Award nominee DiCaprio (Blood Diamond, Aviator) plays Jay Gatsby, with Tobey Maguire starring as Nick Carraway; Joel Edgerton and Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan (An Education) as Tom and Daisy Buchanan; Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke as Myrtle and George Wilson; and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker. Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim. Oscar nominee Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) directs the film in 3D from a screenplay co-written with frequent collaborator Craig Pearce, based on Fitzgerald's book. Luhrmann produces, along with Catherine Martin, Catherine Knapman, Lucy Fisher and Academy Award winner Douglas Wick (Gladiator). The executive producers are Barrie M. Osborne and Bruce Berman. Two-time Academy Award-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin (Moulin Rouge) also designs with the director. The editors are Jason Ballantine, Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond, and the director of photography is Simon Duggan. Luhrmann said, "Fitzgerald loved the movies and was a passionate believer in the power of cinema. The Great Gatsby has been adapted for the screen no less than four times. Fitzgerald's story defies time and geography. The vision and the goal of our remarkable cast and creatives is to do justice to the deftness of Fitzgerald's telling, and illuminate its big ideas and humanity. This is our challenge and our adventure." The Great Gatsby is being shot in Luhrmann's native Australia. The filmmaker stated, "The opportunity to make the film in Australia with the Bazmark creative team is very important to us; the assistance from Screen Australia and the NSW Government has made that possible." The film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. Source: Bollywood Hungama Wow.....this is not some tooty fruity 3rd class director directing some sh!tty movie like Marigold or Hissss....big budgeted epic movie w/ A-listers!!!
WC2011INDIA Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 Stop overhyping. He is most likely not going to have a substantial role. Oh and Baz Luhrmann is a hit and miss director. His last film "Australia" was gorgeous looking but the story was meh and it was too long. It was a boxoffice bomb because of the bloated 150+ million budget. This is a drama movie in 3D with a 125 million budget. Looks like it will bomb as well.
The Outsider Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 The Great Gatsby is a wonderful book by Fitzgerald - a classic. The book revolves completely around the main protagonist, so Amitabh Bachchan will have a substantial role in all likelihood. I remember reading an interview from him long, long back where he emphasized that he would take up a Hollywood movie only if his role is about the actual character rather than the token space filling East Indian.
Prakat Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 Will be interesting to see how much of Wolfsheim is there in the final screenplay and edit. Although, 3D?
Roshanrocks Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann says he is 'honoured' to be collaborating with Amitabh Bachchan for 'The Great Gatsby' and adds that he has been influenced by the actor's work, especially 'Sholay', which introduced him to Indian cinema. 'I am personally thrilled that one of the world's great screen legends, Amitabh Bachchan, is joining the cast. Over the years, Amitabh's films have made a tremendous impression on my life and work. His film 'Sholay' was my introduction to Indian cinema,' Luhrmann told IANS over email. 'With the pivotal role of Wolfsheim, we (Amitabh and I) have found the collaboration. I couldn't be happier. I know that Amitabh is doing this from the point of the quality of Fitzgerald's text, the tremendous cast, and, most importantly, as a gesture of good will and friendship. I'm honoured to have him on board.' said the director. Does this mean that Amitabh wont have much screen time in this movie?
Lurker Posted September 8, 2011 Posted September 8, 2011 Arnold Rothstein was a key character in the leading up of Sicilian and Jewish mafia in early 20th century. Amongst his prodigees were Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano perhaps the 1-2 in overall 20th century US mafia history. There would be hardly any role that would be insiginificant if the character is based on Rothstein.
WC2011INDIA Posted September 11, 2011 Posted September 11, 2011 "No other offers have come my way from Hollywood before and since Baz was very keen I do this, I went ahead. It's nothing big, just a small appearance," he says "He (Luhrmann) asked me, would I do a small part in his film? It's just a small scene with Leonardo Dicaprio and Tobey Macguire," Bachchan says. "I have agreed to do this just as a friendly appearance and went across to Sydney late last month for rehearsals and hair make-up and costume tests. The reading workshop requires the entire cast to assemble and get familiar with the script and do a read through," Bachchan signs off. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-great-gatsby-is-a-friendly-gesture-big-b/182936-8-67.html Told you suckers. case closed.
akshayxyz Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Of all the bollywood actors' Bachchan Senior is one of the few I respect for their acting skills and as a personality. And he is one of the few Indian bollywood names known very well world wide. However, I have one query - How come he never got an offer from Hollywood - which can meet his 'screen-space' requirement? Was it shortsighted-ness of Hollywood (given that mere his name would increase non-US sales Or is it due to AB's ego, or Hollywood doesn't consider him as good / valuable as we think/know?? Similar query applies to SRK. (except the part that - I do not admire him as great actor - but he sure has a brand value, in India, and NRIs).
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