13 December 2002
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Kidman Eyes Role in 'Alexander the Great' Epic, Fox Pulls Funding
HOLLYWOOD (Zap2it.com) - There's mixed
news for "Alexander the Great," an epic film about the life of the ancient
conqueror. First, the good news: Nicole Kidman has expressed interest in playing Olympia,
Alexander's mother. Alexander will be played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who has long been
attached to the project.
The role would see Kidman age as her son grows from child to man and would reunite her with Baz Luhrmann, the man who directed her to great acclaim in "Moulin Rouge." Negotiations are expected to commence after the new year.
Now the not-so-good news: 20th Century Fox has pulled out of its co-production deal with Universal Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. One of the main issues for Fox was the film's ballooning budget, currently estimated to be in the $140-$150 million range.
"Our allegiance is to Baz and our long-term relationship
with him," said Jeffrey Godsick, executive vice president of publicity and promotions
at Fox. "However, this deal does not work for us economically, so we have agreed to
let him see if he can out it together elsewhere."
Stepping in to fill the Fox's shoes is DreamWorks, which will take international rights to
the film while Universal retains domestic rights.
Martin Scorsese -- DiCaprio's director on "Gangs of New York" and the upcoming
"The Aviator" -- will executive produce "Alexander the Great" along
with Dino and Martha De Laurentiis. Scorsese had been developing his own Alexander the
Great project.
"Alexander" will film on location in Morocco, Jordan or Australia, or some
combination of these countries.