JANUARY 2006
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31 January 2006
Crowe talks more about Epic
- As reported in my last news update, an Australia Day Channel 10 news clip showed Russell Crowe talking briefly about the budget of Luhrmann's Aussie epic. With very special thanks to Nicole Kidman United, I now have a transcription of Crowe's fuller answer relating to the production:
Presenter - And hopefully a new movie with Nicole Kidman and Baz Luhrmann will keep him in Australia throughout
[his wife's] pregnancy.
Russell Crowe - "Well, I don't know, you know. I'll get told in due course. I know that the schedule keeps changing because it's quite an expensive movie, so they have to - they're refining the budget, because one of the things that Baz wants to make sure he does is make a really expensive movie for less money than somebody else might make it because that's a point of pride for him, you know. It's a big budget film, yes, but it's an Australian big budget film so I'm sure we can come up with at least the last $50 million with good ideas instead of having to spend the cash so you know, I'm with him. Any which way he wants to do it, I'll be there."
It is fantastic that Crowe is so supportive of Baz Luhrmann and his vision for the film. It is comforting to know that Baz has the backing of Crowe, and Nicole Kidman as well, and hopefully he can get the funds together soon to turn his vision into a reality.
Epic 'penciled in' at Fox Studios
- An interesting article was reported by TMCnet.com today regarding Australia's film industry. There is also a brief mention of how Luhrmann's Aussie Epic is "penciled in but not confirmed" to film at Fox Studios in Sydney this year. Here is the beginning of the article. To read the full transcript, click here.
Australia: Productions appear robust, but industry remains fragile
(Weekly Variety Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
"Sydney Australia looms as the titan of offshore production in the Asia Pacific region, competing for projects with Canada, the U.S., Europe and South Africa.
The country boasts three major studio facilities and a vast array of locations often a short distance from each other --- deserts, tropical forests and islands, snow-covered mountains, period streetscapes and sophisticated city skylines.
Australian crews are as expert as you get anywhere and are sought after to work on projects in neighboring countries such as Fiji and New Zealand. Prices are competitive, the 12.5% federal tax offset for movies and skeins is attractive and individual state incentives are being continually upgraded, such as Queensland's recent decision to rebate for post-production undertaken there.
The exchange rate is good, and f/x and post services are used by filmmakers worldwide .
Yet scratch the surface and you discover a fragile industry with high overheads whose reputation is only as good as the last pic made there. And when that pic was Sony's "Stealth," everyone realizes there's still much work to be done.
Currently no huge productions are confirmed for any of the major facilities in 2006, but fortunately for the biz those sites have been busy of late and the pipelines are healthy.
Two of the five stages at Melbourne's Central City Studios are engaged until March with Coote Hayes's production of the Stephen King skein "Nightmares and Dreamscapes."
At Sydney's Fox Studios, Baz Luhrmann's Australian Outback epic toplined by Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman for 20th Century Fox is penciled in but not confirmed."
Red Curtain Trilogy - Region 2 release
- Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain DVD Trilogy is finally set to be released in the UK (Region 2) on 6th February 2006. I bought my US (Region 1) version a long time ago, and I also knew that it had been released on Region 4 (Australasia). I did not realise it had not yet been released on other regions. The Region 2 release looks very similar to the Region 1 release, with the same special features etc. For more information and to purchase this this excellent box set, I recommend Play.com, which is currently taking pre-orders for £22.99, with free delivery within the UK. Also, The Guardian is currently running a competition to win one of three box sets. And for more on Luhrmann's trilogy in general, feel free to visit my Red Curtain Trilogy page.
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29 January 2006
Kidman and Crowe on Oz News
- In this year's Australia Day Honours, Nicole Kidman was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her services to the performing arts and as an actor. This award is similar to being given a title, such as Dame, and is designed to honour Australians and their achievements. Channel 10 News showed a clip announcing Kidman's award which also featured her talking about Baz Luhrmann's Australian Epic. There was also a brief comment from Russell Crowe. The video is available to view at Nicole Kidman United on their wonderful discussion form in this thread, and they have kindly given me permission to post these quotes relating to the Aussie Epic:
Presenter - ...when she returns to Australia to make an epic movie with Russell Crowe and Baz Luhrmann.
Nicole Kidman - "It's not signed, sealed and delivered yet, so I'm a little bit superstitious about talking about things before they are. Um, but, yeah, hopefully coming back to Australia in the middle of the year, and being able to make - I've always wanted to make a big film in Australia, a film that's about Australia."
Presenter - Her co-star filling in a few more details.
Russell Crowe - "I know that the schedule keeps changing because it's quite an expensive movie so they have to - they're refining the budget."
It seems that, like the rest of us,
even Kidman and Crowe are still not certain about the details of the Aussie
Epic, but it's great that they are both so keen to be involved! :-)
It appears that it may be a financial barrier that has been holding back the production of
Luhrmann's Australian Epic. Crowe has mentioned they're 'refining the budget', and I get the impression maybe
Luhrmann is having difficulty getting the funds he needs? It would certainly
explain why details have been scarce and lack of funding would be an
understandable reason for such a delay. Let us hope Luhrmann is able to get the money sorted soon.
Saatchi & Saatchi Award announced
- As reported in my 15 January news update, Baz Luhrmann was a judge at this year's Saatchi & Saatchi Awards. On 26 January, the winner was announced as Concrete Canvas - a rapidly deployable hardened shelter for disaster relief. The judges were told to choose the idea they believed had the greatest world changing potential. Congratulations to Concrete Canvas, and well done to Luhrmann for helping to judge such an innovative award. For more information about this year's Awards, click here to read the press release.
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26 January 2006
Happy Australia Day!
It's a day for celebration today!
Happy Birthday to Catherine Martin on her 41st birthday!
Happy Anniversary to Catherine and Baz on their 9th wedding anniversary!
And Happy Australia Day to all fellow Australians today! Let this be the
year in which Australia becomes the magnificent backdrop of Baz Luhrmann's next
cinematic venture. :-)
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23 January 2006
More Aussie Epic news
- Further news regarding Baz Luhrmann's next project continues to be reported by the Australian media. Today the Sydney Morning Herald provided what is probably the most detailed article to date, with Russell Crowe chatting to yet another reporter - this time in Australia as opposed to LA!
Nic and Russ go outback
23 January 2006, by Christine Sams, Sydney Morning Herald
(Source: The Sun Herald)
"Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe will make their much-anticipated film together in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, in a set created from scratch by director Baz Luhrmann.
Crowe has revealed the location and timing for the film project, which he says is being planned for later this year.
"I can only tell you certain things . . . but it's very exciting," said Crowe, during a one-on-one chat with S at his home in Woolloomooloo last week. "I look at this thing that Baz has shown me, what he wants to do, and you just have to realise Baz Luhrmann's [genius] . . . he's just not Bazza from the block, mate, he is a 100 per cent, solid gold cinematic artist."
Crowe described the first time he read the draft script for the as-yet-untitled film, which was co-written by Luhrmann and Stuart Beattie (the Aussie scriptwriter behind Collateral and the sequel to Pirates Of The Caribbean).
"The first draft was a double goose bumps with tears, it was just a magnificent read," Crowe said.
The Oscar winner had initially allowed about 15 minutes for a quick glance through the script, but then cancelled all his meetings for the next few hours and ended up lying on his couch in Woolloomooloo, absorbed by the story.
"It was just a wonderful afternoon. I was just transported off into this place and time and into the lives of these people. So it will be a magnificent thing working with Baz, it'll be wonderful spending that much time in that particular area of Australia."
Crowe confirmed a full-scale set for the epic film will be built in a remote area of the Kimberley region. "It's not the Northern Territory, but it's close. A lot of the movie is set there actually, whether it's shot there is different. We'll be shooting in the Kimberleys. Life's tough, eh!" Crowe said, with a laugh.
He said working on a film with Kidman had long been a personal goal for both of them, which continued beyond the collapse of Eucalyptus last year. "It's just something we've talked about since we were quite young, but it had to be the right thing, you know. In the way life has conspired this is the best possible situation, because Baz is very familiar with getting the best out of Nicole, which she's really excited about because she loves being in the situation of being challenged."
Crowe said the film would be made in the second half of 2006, although Kidman may return to Australia earlier so the two Oscar winners can workshop their scenes.
In the meantime, Crowe will continue touring with his band - including planned performances in the US and New Zealand - and prepare for the arrival of his second child with his wife, Danielle Spencer."
NKU's 'roving reporter' has also kindly allowed me to link to a scanned version of the above article. To access the scan through the wonderful NKU website, click here.
I am now eager to find out more about the film's plot, as Crowe seems to be very impressed by the script, and I wish we could have a peek too! I guess all will be revealed eventually... Also, I had to chuckle when I read these particular comments by Crowe: "I look at this thing that Baz has shown me, what he wants to do, and you just have to realise Baz Luhrmann's [genius] . . . he's just not Bazza from the block, mate, he is a 100 per cent, solid gold cinematic artist." Right on, mate! :-)
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20 January 2006
Aussie Epic to begin filming in June?
- Further to speaking out about the Aussie epic at the Vanity Fair party a few days ago to Fox News, it has been revealed today that Russell Crowe talked in more detail to a reporter for the Daily Mail. Crowe chatted to Baz (no, not that Baz!) about how he is going to do "a bit of swooning with Nic". And according to Crowe, filming is set to start in June! I think we can begin to get genuinely excited about this upcoming project! All we need now is a title! ;-)
Nicole sends the Gladiator into a swoon
20 January 2006, by Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail
"Russell Crowe told me that he and his best girl pal Nicole Kidman are getting ready to 'swoon' before the cameras in a big romantic epic that Baz Luhrmann will direct on location in Australia in June.
"It's set in the 1930s and 40s and I can tell you that it's a romance and I do a bit of horseriding and a bit of swooning with Nic," Russell told me when we chatted at a hush-hush private party thrown over the Golden Globes weekend by Vanity Fair.
"Baz - the other Baz, not you Baz - has talked to Nic and me a lot about this film and we're both up for it.
"I've known Nic for a long time, but we've never worked together; and I've known the other Baz for a while. And the important thing is that it's nearly six months working in Australia. We start rehearsals in May and the cameras roll in June."
Russell said he particularly wanted to film in Australia so he can be with wife Danielle, who is pregnant with their second child.
"It's perfect timing on all fronts, mate - although some of the locations are pretty remote. We'll do some filming partly in the Kimberleys and the Northern Territory. It's as rough as guts out there. There's nothing there.
"There'll be a cast and crew of around 240, and Baz said he'll have to be like John Ford and build a town."
I broke the news of this, as yet untitled, film last year. At the time, there was concern that it would not get off the ground after the collapse of Eucalyptus, an Australian-based film that was also to have starred Russell and Nicole, 11 months ago.
"Eucalyptus was a small affair and I said to Nic that it was a fragile piece and it was probably a mistake in the first place for her and me to do it. Suddenly, there was all this expectation and it couldn't take the weight of Nic and myself.
"Baz's film has the kind of sweeping story that can carry us," he continued.
Our talk took place in the lobby of the Sunset Towers Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, perilously close to the concierge desk.
I was grateful that, first of all, Russell was in a good mood (though to be fair, he's never been difficult with me) and second, that the phones were out of harm's way, behind a screen."
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18 January 2006
Australian Epic update
- Russell Crowe spoke out about his involvement in Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic at the Vanity Fair pre-Golden Globes party on 16th January. Crowe has spoken out about the project before, and he has certainly disclosed the most information out of anyone reported to be associated with the epic, including Baz himself! Well done to Russell, who also revealed his wife is pregnant with their second child. :-)
The news was reported by Fox News in the following article:
Kidman, Crowe to Do Aussie 'Gone With the Wind'
16 January 2006, By Roger Friedman, Fox News
"Russell Crowe, looking happier and more relaxed than ever, turned up last night at Vanity Fair's elegant pre-Golden Globes party at the Sunset Towers/Argyle Hotel in West Hollywood. It was a most unusual low-key gathering, very much the antidote to three days of hard partying.
He told me that after taking off some time to be with his wife and toddler son, he's ready to make a big movie. And it's all set: He will do an untitled picture with Nicole Kidman, directed by Baz Luhrmann, the man who guided Kidman through the delicious hit "Moulin Rouge."
"It's like the Australian version of 'Gone with the Wind,'" Crowe told me. "That's the way Baz describes it, anyway. It's set in the Australian country in the early 1930s. Baz will have to build a whole community where we're going to shoot, since it's a very remote area. He'll have to put up around 260 people. It's just like what John Ford used to do with his Westerns."
The script is by Luhrmann and fellow Aussie Stuart Beattie, who also wrote the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, "Collateral" and "Derailed." The studio is 20th Century Fox, which is a cousin to FOX News. Like most family members, we have to find things out about our relatives from complete strangers!
Crowe told me that he'd already made a pact with his wife Danielle, now pregnant with their second child, regarding his work schedule.
"I told her I'd give her 12 months at home, and then I'd take 12 months to make a movie." He will be at her side, presumably, when she gives birth in July, even if the film is well into production."
It seems that Baz himself has been describing his epic as an 'Australian version of Gone with the Wind'. However, for fans who fear that this will be some kind of remake, don't worry. I believe Baz is probably making the reference to try and indicate the length and scope of the film rather implying that Nicole Kidman will turn into some kind of Scarlett O'Hara and Russell Crowe another Rhett Butler! ;-)
The Australian media was also quick to report the news, with the following article appearing in publications all over the country with varying titles:
Russell Crowe confirms new baby
17 January 2006, from AAP
"Actor Russell Crowe has confirmed to the world's media that he's going to become a dad for the second time.
But a second child is not the only big project on Crowe's horizon with the actor earlier revealing he'll star in an "Australian version of Gone with the Wind" opposite Nicole Kidman.
Crowe used his red carpet walk at the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles to confirm what's been widely reported since December - that toddler son Charles will soon have a brother or sister.
"Yes, Dani is pregnant again," a beaming Crowe said of his singer and actress wife Danielle Spencer as he walked the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
"She's due in July, so it's a French conception."
Earlier, at Vanity Fair's pre-Golden Globes party, he told Fox News of his plan to team up with Kidman in a new film to be directed by Baz Luhrmann, of Moulin Rouge fame.
"It's like the Australian version of Gone with the Wind," he said.
"That's the way Baz describes it, anyway."
"It's set in the Australian country in the early 1930s. Baz will have to build a whole community where we're going to shoot, since it's a very remote area."
"He'll have to put up around 260 people. It's just like what John Ford used to do with his Westerns."
The script will be by Luhrmann and fellow Australian Stuart Beattie, who also wrote the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Collateral and Derailed, Fox reported."
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15 January 2006
Luhrmann judging Saatchi Award
- Baz Luhrmann is one of the judges for the 2005 Saatchi & Saatchi Award, as reported in the following article:
New
York, Jan. 13, PRNewswire
"The final contenders to win the fourth Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas were announced today
www.saatchi.com/innovation. The global award, formerly known as the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for Innovation in Communication, is made biennially by the Ideas Company, Saatchi &
Saatchi. The Award attracts an incredibly broad range of entries, as reflected in the line up of finalists for this year's prize...
...The judging panel for the 2005 Award includes TED Conference's Chris Anderson, pioneer of lateral thinking, Edward de Bono, composer Philip Glass, film director Baz Luhrmann, musician, Lou Reed, primate communications expert, Sue
Savage-Rumbaugh and photographer, Oliviero Toscani...
...The winner will be announced at a high profile ceremony in New York on Thursday 26th January 2006, where work and prototypes by the eleven finalists will be exhibited."
The Saatchi Award website features a full list of nominees, as well as other details, including information about each of the judges. Incidentally, some of the information regarding Luhrmann has been taken from his biography on his IMDb page, which I submitted some time ago! Baz Luhrmann's write-up on the Saatchi Award website reads as follows:
"'Music touches and unites us in a way words cannot describe. Music is there when words fail us.
In a world where the audience is so into the device of creating the illusion of reality, I make a deal with them and say 'ok, the game's up.' I pull the red curtain back and say, 'we, the story tellers, are
here'
Baz Luhrmann grew up in rural Australia. It was at his father's movie theatre that he first became enthralled by the world of movies and the power of story telling.
His most notable film works to date are the three films that make up his Red Curtain Trilogy, 'Strictly Ballroom', 'William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet' and 'Moulin Rouge!'.
The Red Curtain style of filmmaking was devised by Baz Luhrmann to actively promote audience
participation."
Australian epic - new crew member?
- It's now a couple of weeks into the New Year, but still no further news about Baz Luhrmann's next project. However, on the film's IMDb page, a new crew member has recently been added. The following addition has been made: Visual Effects by Kristen Anderson - CAD modeller. Anderson has worked on other films made in Australia, such as The Matrix sequels and the upcoming Superman Returns. However, as anybody is able to add entries to the IMDb, this addition should probably only be classed as rumour only at this stage.
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4 January 2006
My Shakespeare on DVD
- Just a few days after its US premiere, I have been informed that My Shakespeare is now set to be released on DVD. The US release date is 7th February 2006. It seems the DVD is only being released in the US at this stage. Hopefully we will see the DVD distributed more widely later in the year.
The VHS ($24.99) and the DVD ($29.99) are both available to purchase direct from the Shop PBS website. The DVD is also available at Barnes and Noble ($23.98) and Amazon.com ($20.99). All of these websites are currently taking pre-orders.
I would highly recommend this DVD to all Baz Luhrmann fans, and indeed anyone who is interested in Shakespeare and its influence on young people. For detailed information about the production, please feel free to visit my My Shakespeare webpage.
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2 January 2006
My Shakespeare on US TV
- I am delighted to report that, just over a year after its UK premiere, My Shakespeare has finally been screened on US television! The programme was first aired in the UK on 27th December 2004. Shortly afterwards, I created a webpage dedicated to the show featuring detailed information about this enlightening documentary. I also contacted the television network to try and find out if it would be released on DVD, but their answer was inconclusive. As far as I know, there was only ever one screening of My Shakespeare, until now.
My Shakespeare premiered in the US on 1st January 2006. Interestingly, the programme was renamed My Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet With Baz Luhrmann. It was apparently shown on PBS channels. According to FortWayne.com, it aired at 9:30 p.m. on WFWA, Channel 39. And according to TheState.com, it was shown from 9:30pm until 11pm on WRLK-35, cable channel 11. The time and channel would have varied across the US, but I am guessing it was shown throughout the country.
My Shakespeare is a fascinating programme and I am now wondering if this means people in other countries may be able to view it soon, or if there may be an eventual DVD release. If you have any further information about the programme that is not already featured on my My Shakespeare page, please feel free to contact me.
Another Oz epic article
- Last month, several Australian publications reported how casting for Baz Luhrmann's upcoming Australian epic had been taking place. The Northern Territory News has recently reported a similar article, with some further information regarding possible locations:
Please note: There has still been no official word from Baz regarding the project. However, speculation continues to increase that his Australian epic may go ahead some time this year.
Quest for actors in Territory epic film
By Flora Liveris, Northern Territory News
29 December 2005
"Auditions have been held in the Territory for an epic Australian motion picture directed by Baz Luhrmann and filmed in the NT next year.
A Sydney casting agent has visited Darwin, Katherine and some remote communities looking for potential actors to play the role of a young Aboriginal boy and stockmen.
The agent also visited Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome.
It is believed the movie, which has been tipped to star Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, will be partly filmed in the NT at Coolibah Station near Timber Creek.
The Northern Territory News understands that Crowe and Kidman will play love interests in the movie that will be set in the 1930s.
The film budget is believed to be more than $40 million and involves production companies Bazmark Films and 20th Century Fox.
Luhrmann is known for directing and writing the blockbuster hit Moulin Rouge! and directing and writing the screenplay for Romeo + Juliet and Strictly Ballroom.
He co-wrote the yet to be named Australian epic with Stuart Beattie, whose credits include Collateral, which starred Tom Cruise.
He also co-wrote the screen story Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl which starred Johnny
Depp.
It is believed Luhrmann is working with partner Catherine Martin as the associate producer. Martin was production designer for Luhrmann's past three films and associate producer and costume designer for Moulin Rouge! and associate producer for Romeo + Juliet.
Craig Armstrong will compose music for the film.
Armstrong worked on Moulin Rouge! and other Hollywood hits including Must Love Dogs which starred John
Cusack, Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore and Ray which starred Jamie Foxx."
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