NOVEMBER 2003
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27 November 2003
First photo of Lillian!
- The Australian magazine, Woman's Day, has scooped what I believe to be the very first picture of one-and-a-half month old Lillian Amanda Luhrmann. Click here to view a larger image and small accompanying article. The scan also features images of Baz arriving at Sydney airport to meet CM and Lillian after flying back from Los Angeles last week. Special thanks go to foxy for the scan, and a link has now been added to my 'Facts About Baz' page.
Another Alexander film to go ahead?
- Just days after Variety
reported that production of Luhrmann's ATG could be delayed for two or more
years, it announced that yet another production of the story of Alexander the
Great is likely to go ahead. I could not locate the original Variety article,
but the following article called 'Two
More Sword and Sandal Epics Planned' was posted on 23 November on Coming
Soon! and summarises the plans for this proposed trilogy of films:
"As if Troy, Oliver Stone's Alexander and Baz Luhrmann's Alexander the Great were not enough, two more 'sword and sandal' epics are joining the fray.
First up, Ilya Salkind, producer of the first three Superman films, and Jeffrey Taylor, plan to produce Macedonia's Alexander the Great as the first in a trilogy of films on the life and times of Hollywood's favorite conqueror.
The film is written by Dan Skinner and will be directed by Jalal Merhi, whose previous credits include direct-to-video actioners The Circuit and Sometimes a Hero.
Aris Papadimitriou will depict Alexander's best friend, Hephaestion (a role portrayed by Jared Leto in Alexander and Egypt's Hala Sedki will play his mother, Queen Olympias (Angelina Jolie has the part in Stone's film).
Production is scheduled to begin Feb. 7 in Greece and Egypt. And although no distributor is in place, an October release is
intended..."
Stone's Alexander is currently scheduled for a late November 2004 release, and so it seems that this separate production is trying to beat this release date. Two films about Alexander the Great set to be released within a month of each other? This could be interesting! But whether or not this actually happens, we'll have to wait and see.
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22 November 2003
ATG delayed by 2 or more years?
- This week, Variety reported that there are 'indications' that production of Luhrmann's ATG could be delayed for two or more years. The article goes on to suggest that Leonardo DiCaprio has no deal to star in the film. According to my records, De Laurentiis confirmed that DiCaprio had signed on as Alexander back in September 2002 in this article. However, this was the one and only article I found that confirmed that DiCaprio had definitely signed on to play Alexander - all other articles since then have simply implied that he is set to star in the film. It has indeed been largely assumed that he would be involved, and now it appears his involvement is not so certain.
Furthermore, David Hare's script rewrite that is being supervised by Luhrmann will not be presented until February next year. Producer Dino De Laurentiis says they will not proceed until they see the script, and that they feel no need to rush the project. Meanwhile, Stone's movie has secured Japanese distribution rights and is now well into production with a release date set for Thanksgiving 2004 in the US.
The article also suggests that Luhrmann may 'take another assignment' before filming ATG... We will have to wait and see what becomes of this. Hopefully, Luhrmann will provide his own comments regarding the progress of ATG soon.
The Variety article is called "Will Japan distrib deal stiff Dino's 'Alex'?" and reads as follows:
"The great race to mount an epic film about Alexander the Great has tipped decisively toward Oliver Stone.
While indications abound that the rival film by producer Dino De Laurentiis and director Baz Luhrmann may be postponed for two or more years, Stone's backers, Intermedia/IMF and Summit Entertainment, have just brokered Japanese distribution rights to Shochiku and Nippon Herald at Mifed.
Arrangement seems to ease any doubt that Intermedia had the mettle to cover costs on the film, which is shooting in London and reputed to cost upwards of $150 million.
That no major Japan deal had been completed was attributed to the stature in that marketplace of Leonardo DiCaprio, who was long expected to be Luhrmann's bronze conqueror.
One of the major cogs in De Laurentiis' financing plan was a presale deal with Gaga in Japan. But DiCaprio, who just finished starring in "The Aviator" for director Martin Scorsese, is likely to next star in Robert DeNiro-helmed history of the CIA "The Good Shepherd" at Universal. DiCaprio has no deal to star in Luhrmann's film, and no one is saying his participation is automatic anymore.
The Japanese distribution for Stone's pic deal was sealed with Nippon Herald CEO Hiromitsu Furukawa and Shockiku managing director Takeo Hisamatsu.
Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins and Val Kilmer star in the pic, and production began Sept. 22 in Morocco. The film is due to complete filming in Thailand early next year. Warner Bros. plans to release it Thanksgiving 2004.
While the film mobilized enough funds to begin production through a "Europudding" of presales and subsidies, Japan had been the major territorial holdout.
De Laurentiis remains bullish about his Alexander project, and said the rival film's deal with Shochiku and Nippon Herald has no bearing on his film, though he doesn't know when production on it may begin.
While Luhrmann supervised a script rewrite by David Hare, it's now whispered that he may take another assignment before tackling his Alexander story. Hare's script will be delivered in February.
"We just had a meeting with Baz and we're having one with Stacey Snider next week, but we will not proceed until we see the script," De Laurentiis said. "This is about very different visions that Oliver and Baz have. These are two very, very different movies, and truly the only thing they have in common is the same character."
"Baz is a perfectionist and we feel no need to rush," De Laurentiis continued. "The key is for this picture to be very well done and to be well prepared because it will be very expensive. Universal and DreamWorks are still in place, and we have our deal in Japan with Gaga."
Intermedia got its film into production first through a domestic distribution deal with Warner Bros.; a deal to include Pathe as its French co-producer to access Gallic subsidies that cover distribution in France and the Benelux countries; a sale and leaseback deal that brought British tax breaks; equity from Intermedia's German fund IMF; and distribution deals with Tri Pictures in Spain, Constantin in Germany, Nordisk in Scandinavia, Woo Sung Cinemas in Korea and Spentzos in Greece. Warners also bought Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America.
Getting strong distribution in Japan was a key for Intermedia chairman Moritz Borman and Summit's Patrick Wachsberger and Bob Hayward, who've been selling territories.
"Oliver and I are thrilled to have these two great film companies distributing the movie in such an important territory," Borman said in a statement. "Combined, Shochiku and Nippon Herald give this film the best opportunity for success in Japan."
Stone's 'Alexander' Websites
- As reported above, production of Stone's Alexander is well and truly underway with a release date set for late next year. I have been following this project for purposes of comparison, but in no great detail. Therefore, if you are interested in finding out more about Stone's upcoming film, I have come across a couple of great websites that are devoted to this particular production. These are:
'Alexander the Great' - http://www.alexander-the-great.co.uk
This UK website reports all the latest news and gossip and provides
information about the cast and their respective characters, as well as
production photos and a discussion forum.
'Alexander the Great Rumour Control' -
http://www.alexander-rc.com
This website also reports all the latest news and gossip and features a
discussion forum plus a comprehensive pictures page featuring every production
photo released so far.
Nicole honoured with Cinematheque Award
- Nicole Kidman was presented with this year's American Cinematheque Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on 14 November. The award is described as follows: "The American Cinematheque Award is presented annually to an extraordinary artist currently making a significant contribution to the art of the Moving Picture." Nicole attended the event with her children, Isabella and Connor, and her award was presented by Adrien Brody. Baz Luhrmann was also in attendance. The following article was released around 17 November by Reuters and was called 'Kidman Shares Her Big Night with Directors':
"LOS ANGELES - Praised as a risk-taker, Nicole Kidman was awarded the 18th annual American Cinematheque Award during a fundraiser for the movie preservation group at the Beverly Hilton on Friday.
But the evening also served as a celebration of the auteur theory, since in accepting the award, Kidman paid tribute to the directors with whom she has surrounded herself -- among them, Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge"), Stephen Daldry ("The Hours"), Robert Benton ("The Human Stain") and Anthony Minghella ("Cold Mountain") -- who also were among those she dubbed her "film family" seated with her at the head table.
"I am proud of one thing," Kidman said in acknowledging the tribute, which was presented to her by Adrien Brody, this year's best actor Oscar winner for "The Pianist." "It is that I have searched out or I have been searched out by visionaries, and I've surrendered whatever I have to them."
For the 36-year-old Kidman, who picked up a best actress Oscar earlier this year for her self-effacing performance as Virginia Woolf in "The Hours," the Cinematheque award served as a midcareer testament to her prominent position in the Hollywood pantheon.
Testified Naomi Watts, a 20-year pal of the Australian-born Kidman: "You make audiences absorb and feel. You make actors watch, learn and steal ... You have directors dueling over you and producers crawling over broken glass, begging, 'Say yes."'
Director-producer Sydney Pollack, who co-starred with Kidman in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," noted: "I think Nicole's work in this film is powerful, ingenious and brave ... Stanley adored her." He called it "the start of an amazing growth period for her. ... She's really blossomed and the power of her work has culminated with her being here tonight."
The film clip chosen to illustrate that film, showing Kidman in a sexually charged exchange with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, did create an awkward moment, however, as the actress' two children, Isabella and Connor, seated beside her, were quickly escorted from the ballroom.
According to sources, Kidman had requested that the film clips shown at the banquet -- which will be broadcast by AMC on Dec. 1 -- be selected with some discretion since her children would be present and was thus caught off-guard by the frank "Eyes" scene.
The evening also paid tribute to the actress' Australian roots, featuring clips from the music video "Bop Girl," in which she appeared at age 15, as well as "Vietnam," the 1986 Australian miniseries that first brought her acting honors. Taped testimonials were provided from its producer, George Miller, as well as Mel Gibson and Dame Edna Everage (the drag creation of Barry Humphries). Claiming to have discovered Kidman in a children's acting school, Dame Edna joked, "You were a tall girl with curly red hair, and, frankly, I didn't see much hope."
Others who rose to praise Kidman included Lauren Bacall and Danny Huston, who co-star with her in the upcoming "Birth"; fellow actors Stockard Channing, Matt Dillon, Allison Janney, Michael Keaton, Wayne Knight, Natalie Portman and Chloe Sevigny as well as Miramax Films' co-chairman Harvey Weinstein, who said: "Nicole Kidman has been a force for great integrity in my life."
Before thanking both her real family and her film family, Kidman observed, "We live the process of making movies and not the results, and it is really the process I live for."
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13 November 2003
ATG to film in September 2004
- Yesterday, BBCi Films announced an interesting (yet somewhat sarcastic) snippet of ATG information in its 'High Noon' movie news section. It was entitled 'Alexander The Late (Badaboom!)' and read:
"Baz Luhrmann won't shoot his Alexander The Great epic until next September, despite the fact that Oliver Stone's Alexander is forging ahead.
"I think you might want to see that [Stone's film] but it's not much of a stretch of the imagination to imagine mine's going to be different," he told BBCi Films, adding, with a flick of his lovely Antipodean hair, "I never do anything on anyone else's schedule and I make things when I'm ready, basically."
In the meantime he's directing what he calls "a one minute movie" and everyone else calls "a pretentious commercial" for a perfumer. It'll star Nicole Kidman."
First of all, this is the first publication I have come across that has announced a new starting date of September 2004 for filming of ATG. This is a full 10 months from now, and quite a lot longer than anticipated! It previously seemed a more likely starting date would be around April 2004 but, according to the BBC, filming now won't begin until September.
Baz's direct quotes reinforce what I have been stressing all along. The delay in filming should not be cause for concern. Baz has and probably always will take his time with his projects. He does not give in to pressure, but instead concentrates so much on his projects that it takes a large amount of preparation time to make sure he is able to make a film the way he wants it to be made.
The reference to the 'flick of his lovely Antipodean hair' made me chuckle! :-) But the reference to the upcoming Chanel advertisement he is set to direct as 'a pretentious commercial' was not so amusing. Sarcastic BBC comments aside, news of Kidman's three year contract with Chanel has been circulating around the internet for some time now. Filming is reported to go ahead in Sydney next month, and I will be keeping an eye on Australian publications for further news of Luhrmann's upcoming shoot!
BBC ATG page
- After discovering the above news, I had a further look around the BBC website and came across its very own page dedicated to the development of both ATG projects. The page can be found at the top of the 'In the Works' section in BBCi Films. It features general production notes for both films, and rates them as 10 our of 10 on a 'Buzz Conductor', indicating the high level of interest surrounding the production of both projects. Best of all, the page features the above caricatures of Stone, Kidman, Jolie, DiCaprio, Farrell and Luhrmann, which I find highly amusing! :-)
Aussie award for Baz and CM
- AAP today reported that Luhrmann and Martin have been honoured with an Australian Export Award in an article called 'Moulin Rouge couple win export gong'. The beginning of the article reads:
"Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann and his Oscar winning wife Catherine Martin were presented with an award for their work exporting Australian talent overseas.
The film-making couple were honoured with the gong at the Australian Export Awards ceremony in Sydney.
Trade Minister Mark Vaile announced the results and praised the pair for their contribution to the export industry.
"We are tonight honouring some outstanding Australians who have done a great deal in their respective industries to take Australia's talent, intellect and acumen to the global market and indeed the world stage," Mr Vaile said.
"It's a great honour to present two stellar Australians Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, with awards for the enormous personal contributions they have made to exporting Australian talent and technology and for their vision and commitment to strengthening the position of the Australian film industry in overseas markets."
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10 November 2003
'Empire' ATG article
- The UK version of Empire magazine published a two-page article called 'Alexander the Greats' in its November 2003 edition. Recently, the Australian version of Empire magazine published the exact same article in its December 2003 edition. A scanned copy has now been added here in my 'ATG News Articles' section courtesy of friendlyfox and the excellent Nicole Kidman United.
The article provides a general production update regarding both Alexander films, as well as short interviews with both Baz Luhrmann and Oliver Stone about their individual projects. It also features an interesting title image of cartoon caricatures of Colin Farrell and Leonardo DiCaprio dressed as Alexander with knives at each others throats! The UK version of the article had a different title image, but I do like the Australian title image better! :-)
Another 'Alexander' image
- On 4th November, New York Post Online posted a third image of Colin Farrell as Alexander in Oliver Stone's film, currently in production in Morocco. Two other images were made available across the web last month, but this particular image seems to be exclusive to this publication. It is an interesting image, with Colin in an elaborate costume along with who I assume is either Roxane or his mother, Olympias.
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