I put “What” in all caps and used a lot of exclamatory punctuation because this interview done by New York Magazine has me and probably tons of other movie bloggers slightly miffed. I’m not saying they did a bad job, in fact, the magazine isn’t the problem. It’s what they uncovered that’s a bit problematic.
The magazine uncovered that Lurhmann’s “Great Gatsby” project won’t be filmed at this point in time, according to Lurhmann himself. We also find out that he’s seriously hedging around giving more insight into the film.
When asked about reports stating he’s going to film in Australia even though most of his team is in Brooklyn, he said, “That’s a great question. I’m not doing Gatsby right now for this reason. Because despite what might be out there, I have made no comment about anything. So until I say it, it’s not said, you know.”
When pressed further about what his answer meant, he responded, “What it means is, much like what goes on in any event, when you’re in the middle of the work, there’s all sorts of things you’re doing, and, you know, when I’m really clear – I, right now, my only focus is absorbing – I’ve been studying Fitzgerald now for three years, and my only act now is to absorb the DNA of his world, his life, the world of the novel. That’s why I have published on our website all the books we’re reading. And I think before we all engage anyone, the first thing to do is to do your homework, read the books, and then let’s talk.”
He was also asked about the 3D element of this version of “The Great Gatsby”, to which he answered, “Like I said, I’m in the middle of my own foolish-to-be-talking-about-anything-in-any-regard stage, before you truly have something to express. I’m in the middle of my own moment and my team’s, and I’m just building culture. Building creative culture.”
Okay. Quite a bit of the information that had been reported on the film was confirmed by Lurhmann himself, like the casting of Carey Mulligan. So why is Lurhmann hedging now? I’m so confused.
In any case, the film is expected to be out in 2012.
