25 July 2002
TNMC Movie News - click here for
link to original source
Alexander the Great (200?)
Plot:
The movie would follow the life of the
historical figure Alexander the Great. This Macedonian king from the time he took the
throne in 336 BC conquered most of the known world by the time of his death in 323 BC.
News:
Yet another Alexander project is in the works. Director Baz Luhrman and uber producer Dino
De Laurentiis are teaming up on their own project to bring the Macedonian conqueror to the
big screen. The duo hope to begin filming the epic in January 2003. Aiding them in that
quest is King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who will be contributing some 1500 troops as extras.
Ted Tally wrote the script, based on novels by Valerio Manfredi.
The king is also building a studio to aid in the production. While no budget has yet been
set, it could easily head north of $140 million. Universal and Fox have teamed up on the
production and given it the greenlight. "We are completely supportive of Baz's
vision," Universal Pictures chairman Stacey Snider said. "For 10 years Baz has
nurtured the idea of doing this project. It was consistent with his long-term aim of
following his musicals with a series of films that, in his words, would view an epic
landscape through a new cinematic vocabulary." Fox brass agreed, "We've been
talking about this film with Baz for years," said Tom Rothman, co-chairman at Fox
Studios, which backed Moulin Rouge. "A project of this magnitude needs the support of
two studios that are at the top of their game, and we all passionately endorse Baz'
vision."
What about Alexander the Great attracts Luhrmann? The person for one thing. Luhrmann
describes him as "the world's first rock star ... a fantastic freak of nature."
He goes on to say, "Alexander succeeded in achieving his goals beyond the scope of
anyone's imagination, but achieving absolute success brought him absolute failure."
Luhrmann wants to make an epic film, "the poetry of the landscape, as well as the
epic battles, will be the stars of the picture," he said. Luhrmann also finds some
relevance in the story, "at this moment in history when we are desperately trying to
figure out what's ahead, it is important to turn to the lessons of the past," he
said.
Thanks to Variety.