Great opportunity: Jacob Couroyannis, P.J.Vissaris, Taylor Gillings and Corey Price-O'Loughlin
are trying out for a role in Alexander the Great. Picture: Jay Town
1 September 2003
The Herald Sun - click
here for original source
Young Alexanders in the making
By Carla Danaher
Great opportunity: Jacob Couroyannis, P.J.Vissaris, Taylor Gillings and Corey
Price-O'Loughlin
are trying out for a role in Alexander the Great. Picture: Jay Town
MELBOURNE boys have joined thousands of young hopefuls across the globe vying for a role in Baz Luhrmann's new epic Alexander the Great.
The director issued a worldwide casting search in late July for a young boy to play the legendary conqueror as an eight or nine-year-old.
The adult Alexander will be played by Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio, with Nicole Kidman cast as his mother, Olympia.
The film's producers have been flooded with applications from all around the world.
Luhrmann, director of Romeo and Juliet, Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge, wants a boy with equestrian skills who is a good physical match for DiCaprio.
Four lads who think they can fill young Alexander's sandals met yesterday.
A dead-ringer for the young Leonardo, Mill Park 10-year-old Peter Jordan (PJ) Vissaris grew up being told about Alexander the Great by his Greek grandad.
At 11, Taylor Gillings already has acting experience under his belt, attending the Victorian Youth Theatre and starring in school plays.
Blackburn eight-year- old Jacob Couroyannis is another who grew up hearing about the great conqueror -- his grandfather was born in Alexandria, Egypt.
Brighton mother Penny Price-O'Loughlin jumped at the opportunity after being constantly told her son, Corey, 7, resembled a young
DiCaprio.