FEBRUARY 2006
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26 February 2006
Further Bowen articles
- Further to my last news update, I have come across a couple more articles regarding the town of Bowen's possible involvement in Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic. The articles feature slightly different quotes from Bowen's mayor.
Bowen vies for $40m Kidman, Crowe film
Abc.net.au, 24 February 2006
Bowen's old jetty, wide streets and colonial architecture could make it the favoured site for a $40 million film.
Mike Brunker, the Mayor of the north Queensland town, says the film would be directed by Baz Luhrmann and is set to star Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
He says although the film might be shot in Bowen, it would not be about Bowen.
"It's set in the 1930s. We're going to look like the entrance to Darwin apparently," he said.
"I know they've asked us to scout around and have a look for some long horn cows and a few props.
"The vacant block of land down the front beach will be used for three to four months. They'll have to build a proper set. Of course our very romantic jetty out the front will play a part in that as well."
Hollywood Mike to jam with Rusty
Townsville Bulletin, By Richard Hannay, 25 February 2006
The streets of Bowen could soon be lined with red carpet, with the Hollywood spotlight now focused on the coastal community.
The North Queensland town may be the setting for part of Aussie director Baz Luhrmann's untitled epic starring Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman.
The director of the Oscar-nominated Moulin Rouge and his location manager Phillip Roope met this week with Bowen Mayor Michael Brunker to discuss the possibility of filming part of the World War II film in the coastal town.
Cr Brunker said the film makers were keen to shoot part of the film later this year.
"I believe they plan to use the front beach entrance as a scene for the movie," Cr Brunker said.
"It's not 100 per cent guaranteed, but they seem quite keen. They want to start filming in August this year.
It will probably take three to four months to film. This could pump millions of dollars into the local economy."
Cr Brunker said the best of what Bowen could offer would be laid on for the Hollywood greats.
"We'll roll out the red carpet for the big stars if they come," Cr Brunker said.
"If Rusty (Russell Crowe) and Nicole come to town, we'll make sure they have plenty to do.
There's plenty of good times to be had in Bowen. We could even get the guitars out and have a bit of a jam session with Rusty, I believe he's a bit of a rocker.
I hear he's going to Mackay to watch South Sydney play against the Cowboys, so I might catch up with him there."
Luhrmann's film will feature the Japanese bombing of Darwin during WWII.
Luhrmann said Kidman and Crowe, whose characters become involved in a love triangle, will begin rehearsing in Los Angeles in two weeks.
With a rumoured budget of $40 million, the movie is set to be one of the most expensive and ambitious local films made.
Luhrmann told the media that the film was an epic romance on the scale of Gone with the Wind and Out of Africa.
"It's a classical emotional romance between two characters," he said. "We have some of the most extraordinary landscape on the planet and we want to get two of the most extraordinary actors in the world and put them, acting, in that landscape."
Crowe recently told the media he cried when reading the script for the film. "The first draft I read - goose bumps twice and tears at the end," Crowe said.
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24 February 2006
Crowe talks about Epic
- Russell Crowe has once again voiced enthusiastic comments regarding Baz Luhrmann's upcoming Australian epic. He spoke with an Australian radio station today and some of his comments were reported in the following article, which originated from news.com.au:
No rushing genius Luhrmann: Crowe
From: AAP, February 24, 2006
Russell Crowe says he cried when reading the script for his romantic Australian film, written by its director Baz Luhrmann.
"The first draft I read – goose bumps twice and tears at the end," Crowe told Macquarie Radio today.
"It's fantastic."
Nicole Kidman also is set to star in the film, which is yet to be titled.
The Australian romantic epic will be set in Darwin in the 1930s, with Crowe and Kidman's characters involved in a love triangle.
The Oscar-winning actors will begin rehearsals in Los Angeles next month.
The film has a rumoured budget of $40 million and Luhrmann has described the project as an epic "on the scale of Gone With The Wind, Out Of Africa or Giant".
Further details on the project are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including full casting, a name and shooting locations.
"One can't rush genius," said Crowe.
"Mr Luhrmann is a certified genius and when he's got the name he'll no doubt call me up in the morning and say 'by the way I have the name'."
Luhrmann took about seven years to perfect the screenplay.
Bowen to double as Darwin in Oz Epic?
- As reported earlier this week, the Australian town of Bowen may double as 1930's Darwin in Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic. Tomorrow's edition of The Daily Mercury reports how the town mayor is crossing his fingers that they are chosen as a location for the film.
Luhrmann was at Bowen on Wednesday, which is where he talked openly to the press about his upcoming movie for the very first time. Luhrmann's comments caused a media frenzy, which has resulted in many syndicated articles being reported across the internet over the past couple of days. I think I have kept on top of the most notable articles, but remember, if you find any further information which I have not reported here, please feel free to e-mail me.
Could Bowen get tick for Baz’s flick?
25 February 2006
Bowen could be set to play host to some of Hollywood’s A-list including Aussie stars Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and director Baz Luhrmann.
Luhrmann, the Australian writer and director of Strictly Ballroom, Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge and musical La Boheme, is seeking the perfect site for his next film project which will star two of Australia’s hottest acting talents.
Bowen mayor Mike Brunker said Bowen’s wide streets and ‘‘old-time feel’’ was just what Luhrmann and his team had in mind.
‘‘Baz was here on Wednesday — so fingers crossed we’ve got the tick for the flick,’’ he said.
Cr Brunker said filming in Bowen would raise the profile of the town.
‘‘There’s a huge economic benefit — I think they want to be here for three or four months,’’ he said.
Bowen is just one of the short-listed towns because of it’s 1930s appearance and similarity to an early Darwin.
Cr Brunker said the $40 million movie had a war theme and a bit of romance.
Perhaps it was the romance that moved Crowe.
‘‘The first draft I read — goosebumps twice and tears at the end,’’ he told Macquarie Radio yesterday.
‘‘It’s fantastic.’’
Nicole Kidman, who starred in Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, is also set to star in the film, which as yet has no title.
The Australian-set, period epic drama will be filmed on the vacant block of land down at the front beach, Cr Brunker said. ‘‘They’ll have to build a proper set,’’ he said.
‘‘Of course our very romantic jetty out the front will play a part in that as well,’’ he said.
The film has been likened to Gone With The Wind and is said to be a break from the flamboyant and theatrical style of Luhrmann’s previous three projects.
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23 February 2006
Kidman and Crowe 'signed up' to Oz epic
- Further to yesterday's update, news of Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic has been reported worldwide over the past 24 hours. Media interest has been fantastic, and I'm sure a lot of people are now eagerly awaiting further information to be revealed in the weeks to come. Some reports have said that rehearsals with Luhrmann, Kidman and Crowe could begin in Los Angeles in as little as 2 weeks. I will of course be keeping an eye out for any new information over the next few weeks and will report everything I find right here in my News Updates section. I will also be constantly updating my Australian Epic page. If you have any further information which I have not included on this site, feel free to e-mail me.
Reuters have reported that Baz Luhrmann's publicist, Maria Farmer, has stated today that Kidman and Crowe have signed up for the Australian epic. I know that Luhrmann's comments yesterday indicated that his two lead actors were definitely onboard, but his publicist has now confirmed they have actually signed on. The snippet from Reuters reads as follows:
"SYDNEY (Reuters) - Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have signed up for an Australian historical epic to be directed by Baz Luhrmann, Luhrmann's publicist said on Thursday. Publicist Maria Farmer confirmed media reports that the new movie, to be filmed in Australia's harsh but beautiful outback, would begin production in
August."
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22 February 2006
Baz finally speaks out!
- I am delighted to announce that Baz Luhrmann has finally spoken out about his next movie. This is the very first time that Baz himself has publicly commented on the film. He has revealed a lot of information, and says there will be more to come in the next few weeks!
It seems that Baz met with Australian reporters today. The news has been reported in tomorrow's Australian newspapers (because of the time difference between Australia and here in the UK, I am able to post this news tonight!) And I have to admit, I am very excited by what's been revealed...
Australian newspapers have reported various articles, and I've decided to feature the first four articles that were posted online. These all have slightly different information. Please note that the first two articles transcribed below are very similar, and indeed were written by the same reporter. However, they contain slightly different content. Most notably the first article mentions the inclusion of screenwriter Ronald Harwood, as reported in my last news update, but the other articles do not.
Baz's next film now appears to be a certainty. Indeed, according to the reports below, rehearsals may start as early as next month! I'm sure there will be plenty more to report soon! Read and enjoy! :-)
Stars go for Aussie passion
Michael Bodey, Herald Sun
23feb06
It's not Oklahoma!, it's not Gone With The Wind and it's definitely not a musical.
But Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe will feature in a "sweeping romance" for Baz Luhrmann.
"Yes, and it's very passionate," the Moulin Rouge! director said of the two stars' on-screen relationship.
The epic begins in the mid-1930s and ends with its major set piece, the 1942-43 Japanese bombing of Darwin and the exodus south, which became known as the Adelaide River Stakes.
Luhrmann, who has researched the film for 10 years, said the tale, co-written by Collateral's Stuart Beattie and The Pianist's Ron Harwood, will be a "mythological telling" drawn from books and historic materials.
"Russell, Nicole and I have been wanting to do a large Australian piece for a very long time," he said.
It is understood both actors have dramatically lowered their fees in order to collaborate with Luhrmann.
Shooting begins in August on location in the Kimberleys, Darwin and Queensland.
"We're in a unique moment where we can make an Australian film on a scale that's never been made about Australia with Australian actors in all the primary and lead roles," Luhrmann said.
Baz's bombshell
By Michael Bodey, The Daily Telegraph
February 23, 2006
It's not Oklahoma!, it's not Gone With the Wind and it's definitely not a musical – but Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe will feature in a "sweeping romance" directed by Baz Luhrmann.
"Yes and it's very passionate," the Moulin Rouge! director said of their on-screen relationship.
Luhrmann confirmed details of his highly anticipated next movie ahead of an official announcement in three weeks, when the title will be revealed.
The beginning of the epic begins in the mid-1930s and concludes with its major set-piece, the 1942-43 Japanese bombing of Darwin and the exodus south, known as the Adelaide River Stakes.
Luhrmann, who has researched the film for 10 years, said the tale will be a "mythological telling" drawn from books and historical material.
"Russell, Nicole and I have been wanting to do a large Australian piece for a very long time," he said.
Both actors have dramatically lowered their fees in order to work on the film.
But Luhrmann's biggest task has been convincing Twentieth Century Fox that he could shoot the film in the Australian Outback.
"In this day and age of computer generation, no studio wants you to step outside the studio to shoot locations anymore" he said. "Making it in a traditional sense is not something people support you in."
Luhrmann will rehearse with Kidman and Crowe in Los Angeles in March and will begin shooting five months later.
Filming will take place in the Kimberleys, Darwin and Queensland, with an almost entirely Australian cast, including a 7 to 9-year-old indigenous child in a major role.
No music - but big like Ben Hur
By Garry Maddox Film Reporter, Sydney Morning Herald
February 23, 2006
The light-hearted working title has been Project Oklahoma.
But the director Baz Luhrmann has confirmed that his next film, which will star Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, is not another Moulin Rouge.
"It's not a musical," he said with a laugh yesterday.
"And it's not Oklahoma!"
Speaking publicly about the film for the first time, Luhrmann described it as a "classic romance that uses the sweeping landscape of Australia" and runs from the mid-1930s to the bombing of Darwin during World War II.
Filming will start in August at the latest, to beat the wet season in northern Australia, with backing from the Hollywood studio 20th Century Fox.
After the postponement of Alexander the Great, Luhrmann said his first film since Moulin Rouge would be comparable in scale to Gone with the Wind and Giant. "My motivation is not to do it [with computer-generated images]," he said.
"It's to go the Lawrence of Arabia road and take two of the world's most extraordinary actors - more than two - to some of the most extraordinary scenic landscape in the world.
"We're going to do what David Lean did. He shot in Wadi Rum [in Jordan]. We'll be shooting in the Kimberleys."
Luhrmann said Crowe and Kidman were passionate to make "something at home, for home", especially after their aborted plan to work together on Eucalyptus.
"We've talked about it for over seven years, that we must do something together in Australia. We're in the extraordinary place now where we can do that.
"Because you've got two Oscar-winning actors, you can actually make a film at a scale that you could never do for an Australian film before."
While not commenting on the budget, Luhrmann said there was widespread enthusiasm for putting the Australian landscape on screen.
"People understand they can really show the country to the world through a big emotional film with these two actors."
One key role being cast is an indigenous boy aged between seven and 13.
"We've got people all over Australia looking," Luhrmann said.
Search on for Baz's next (little) big star
Sophie Tedmanson, Entertainment reporter, The Australian
February 23, 2006
As Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe begin rehearsals for their first movie together, the Australian film's director, Baz Luhrmann, said he was still missing a key cast member.
Luhrmann yesterday put out a casting call for an indigenous boy, aged 7-10, to join the cast of his untitled Australian epic, set in Darwin in the 1930s.
The director, best known for the musical Moulin Rouge, said Kidman and Crowe, whose characters become involved in a love triangle, will begin rehearsing in Los Angeles in two weeks.
With a rumoured budget of $40million, the movie will be shot in Australia and is set to be one of the most expensive and adventurous local films.
Speaking from the north Queensland town of Bowen, which may double as Darwin, Luhrmann described the film as an epic on the scale of Gone With The Wind, Out Of Africa or Giant.
"It's a classic emotional romance between two characters," he said. "We have some of the most extraordinary landscape on the planet and we want to get two of the most extraordinary actors in the world and put them, acting, in that landscape."
While the movie, co-written by Luhrmann and Australian screenwriter Stuart Beattie (Collateral), is not based on a true story, Luhrmann said events such as the bombing of Darwin in World War II would provide a backdrop to the story.
While Darwin's wharf may be used for filming, financial restrictions may force more out-of-the-way locations such as the Kimberley to be recreated at Sydney's Fox Studios.
Shooting is expected to begin in the next few months - by August at the latest because of the wet season - and Luhrmann is expected to announce the name, location and other cast members in the coming weeks.
The director, who has been working on the movie for the past seven years, said it came from a passion shared between himself, Kidman and Crowe to "do something purely Australian on a scale the world hasn't seen before".
"It was kind of, 'What can we do at home?' because we love being here," he said.
Sydney-based Luhrmann said he would use an Australian crew, including his wife and creative partner, Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin. "CM and I just put our domestic life in order so that we can work at home and make something, give as much as we can back to the country and be part of it," he said.
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18 February 2006
New screenwriter for Aussie epic?
- The Independent Online has reported there is a new screenwriter involved with Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic. The article also explains both why Luhrmann is keeping the plot of his movie a secret, and why he 'lost' the race to film Alexander the Great...
"After being "scooped" too many times, Baz Luhrmann is busting a gut to keep his next film project under wraps.
The Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood has been forced to sign a draconian confidentiality contract before starting work on the flick.
He says this follows an incident in 2002, when one of Luhrmann's writers was persuaded to work on Oliver Stone's film Alexander.
Following that defection, Luhrmann was forced to abandon plans for his own "swords and sandals" epic about Alexander the Great.
"I can't tell you what this new film is about, as I've had to sign a secrecy clause," says Harwood.
"Baz told me he got pipped to the post over Alexander because of one of his writers being indiscreet, and won't let himself get his fingers burnt again."
The new flick will be Luhrmann's first since Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge.
According to the rumour-mill, it'll be a period drama set in Australia. Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe are tipped to star."
This is the first I've heard of another screenwriter being appointed. I can only guess that Baz Luhrmann must still be working on the script if another writer is being brought in at this stage?
And the revelation that Luhrmann got "pipped to the post over Alexander" because of an indiscreet writer has me totally shocked. I had no idea this had happened. I had always just assumed that Stone had simply moved quicker and entered the production phase before Luhrmann was ready. However, if this revelation by Ronald Harwood is true, I do feel sorry for Baz, and it makes the secrecy surrounding the pre-production of his Australian epic even more understandable.
I have been unable to find any further news regarding the addition of Harwood as a further screenwriter, and so we just have this one article to rely on at this stage. I did, however, discover that Harwood penned the screenplay for The Pianist, and won the Best Adapted Screenplay award at the 2003 Oscars. If he is indeed involved, I'm sure Luhrmann has chosen wisely and Harwood will be able to assist with finalising the script of the Australian epic.
Baz owns Iona at last!
- The House of Iona in Sydney, Australia, has been the home of Bazmark Productions for many years. I had always just assumed that Luhrmann owned the property. Although I was aware that it was an historic building, I did not realise he was only renting!
It is evident from the photo supplied with the article that a new fence has been erected around the property behind the original fence. The mansion used to only have a barred fence which allowed passers-by to see into the property. However, the new fence gives Iona greater security, which should hopefully keep the prying media away when production of the Australian epic goes ahead.
The news of the purchase of Iona has been reported in the following article by the Sydney Morning Herald. Congratulations to Baz and CM for finally securing the property! :-)
Glamorous duo finally secure their creative HQ
"IONA, the 1880s Darlinghurst mansion, has been sold for about $10 million to the filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.
For nine years the Italianate property has been rented as the headquarters for the creative duo, who never made a secret of their desire to buy.
Describing the mansion as their "mythical, creative space", its listing loomed as a major interruption to their current secretive project. The couple engaged a buyer's agent, Janne Sutcliffe, to secure it before the real estate agent, Peter Blacket, scheduled inspections.
The couple, who keep their Oscar in an ornate, scarlet-walled chamber at the house, funded the acquisition from the sale of three Bronte Beach units which recouped about $8 million last year.
Built when Darlinghurst still had a jail, Iona was originally the city residence of a pastoralist, Edward Chisholm."
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11 February 2006
Official news on Aussie Epic!
- I am happy to report that we have now had official news from Baz Luhrmann's spokeswoman, Maria Farmer, regarding the progress of the Australian epic. Her comments have been reported in an article by the Australian Daily Telegraph, which I have transcribed below.
Special thanks to foxy at Nicole
Kidman United for allowing me to use this article. Click here to read the
original scanned version.
Baz to reel in Russ and Nic by July
By Michael Bodey, Daily Telegraph, 9 February 2006
Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe is set to begin filming in July or August.
US trade publication Production Weekly yesterday said Crowe and Kidman would start rehearsals in May.
The film is yet to be given the green light by 20th Century Fox although Fox Searchlight chief Peter Rice has
visited Australia recently to work with Luhrmann.
Luhrmann's spokeswoman Maria Farmer told The Daily Telegraph of his three "epics" in development, "he has now moved the Australian epic into first position. He and his Bazmark team have been making significant inroads into developing this project and have scouted various Australian locations.
"Baz is cautious and extremely thorough in his development process so before he 100 per cent commits to the Australia epic, he needs certain conditions to be right and he and his team are currently working on
resolving these issues."
These issues are believed to involve the US$40 million budget, the proposition of filming on studio sets in Sydney and
accommodating a cast and crew of 240 in northwest WA.
The Australian epic will be primarily filmed in The Kimberleys. It is a sweeping romance set prior to World War II and the Japanese threat to the top end.
His other two epics are Alexander the Great and a Russian-set tale in the vein of
Doctor Zhivago."
This article confirms a lot of speculation regarding the project. First and foremost, it has been confirmed that the Australian epic will be Baz Luhrmann's next movie. Until now, there has been no official word from Luhrmann that this was definitely the case, although it has been heavily implied. Luhrmann will begin his series of epics with his Australian project and hopefully continue with his trilogy based on its success. On a separate note, I am also interested to note article's reference to the Russian epic being "in the vein of Doctor Zhivago". Very little is currently known about Luhrmann's plans for his Russian epic, and this reference to Doctor Zhivago is somewhat intriguing.
Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that the project still has not got the 'green light' from studio, 20th Century Fox. His spokeswoman also points out that "Baz is cautious and extremely thorough in his development process so before he 100 per cent commits to the Australian epic, he needs certain conditions to be right and he and his team are currently working on resolving these issues." This explains why Luhrmann has not spoken out about his epic. He will indeed want to get everything just right before he goes ahead, as has been the case in the past, and so it's completely understandable why there has not been much official news regarding the project.
It also seems that the film's budget is indeed an issue, although I am somewhat confused about this. US$40 million is hardly anything in the world of movie making, with other epics receiving funds in excess of US$100 million. It seems 20th Century Fox is hesitant, despite the success of Moulin Rouge. However, I am sure that Luhrmann will get his way - it's just a shame he's having a bit of trouble doing so. Let us hope the 'issues' can be resolved as soon as possible so that the production can go ahead.
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7 February 2006
Oz Epic to shoot in July/August?
- Production Weekly
today reported a snippet of information on the main page of their website, which
also currently features a black and white image of Baz. The site states the
following:
"Baz Luhrmann is scheduled to begin principal photography in July or August on his Australian-set period epic starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Rehearsals start in May, on a romance that is being compares to "Gone With The Wind", set around the time of World War 2, which will be shot in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, in a set created from scratch by Luhrmann."
This is obviously rather old news, the only difference being that this site is saying filming will begin in July or August, while other news sources have reported the film will begin shooting in June. I guess we can just assume that things should start happening from May onwards! Fingers crossed!
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