The Great Gatsby


 

The Film

The Great Gatsby is a 2013 US romantic drama film. An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel of the same name, the film is co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke.

It follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby and his neighbour Nick, who recounts his encounter with Gatsby at the height of the Roaring Twenties.

Filming began on 5 September 2011, in Sydney, Australia. Originally scheduled for a December 2012 release, in August 2012 it was reported that the film was being moved to a summer 2013 release date, due to conflicts in the production schedule. In September 2012, this date was confirmed as 10 May 2013, as opening film of the 66th Cannes Film Festival.


Development

Prior to this film, there had already been a Broadway play and numerous film adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald's acclaimed 1925 novel of the same name. In December 2008, Variety magazine reported that this film adaption of the book was to be made with Australia filmmaker Baz Luhrmann set to direct it.

When asked about the movie, Luhrmann stated that he planned the remake to be more timely due to its theme of criticising the often irresponsible lifestyles of wealthy people. In order to commit to the project, in September 2010, Luhrmann moved with his family from Australia to Chelsea, New York, where he had intended to film. While Luhrmann was at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2011, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he had been workshopping The Great Gatsby in 3D, though he had not yet decided whether to shoot in that format. In late January 2011, Luhrmann showed doubt about staying on board with the project, before deciding to stay.

In 2010 it was reported that the film was being set up by Sony Pictures Entertainment, but it was reported that, by 2011, Warner Bros was close to acquiring a deal to finance and take worldwide distribution of the film.

Production

Initially, The Great Gatsby was planned to be filmed in New York, where the novel is set, starting in June 2011. Several months earlier, the director instead opted to have the principal photography take place in Sydney. According to the then Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, the movie would earn the NSW economy A$120 million (US$125 million), with the shoot expected to last seventeen weeks and another thirty weeks to be spent on post-production.

A reported 275-person crew was employed during the pre-production stage with more than 400 cast and crew being employed during principal photography. Another estimated 150 post-production and visual effects crew were also employed. Filming began on 5 September 2011 at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney.

The shoot finished on 22 December 2011 with additional shots filmed in January 2012.

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby
• Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway
• Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan
• Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan
• Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson
• Jason Clarke as George B. Wilson
• Adelaide Clemens as Catherine
• Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker
• Amitabh Bachchan as Meyer Wolfsheim
• Brendan Maclean as Ewing Klipspringer
• Callan McAuliffe as Young Jay Gatsby
• Sam Davis as a Barman
• Gus Murray as Teddy Barton
• Stephen James King as Nelson
• Jens Holck as a Monk
• Max Cullen as Owl Eyes
• Kasia Stelmach as Geraldine Peacock
• Felix Williamson as Henry
• Alison Benstead as Anita Loos
• Chris Proctor as William
• Kate Mulvany as Mrs. McKee
• Conor Fogarty as Gatsby's Butler