The 3D adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby has been pushed back from Christams 2012 to Summer 2013.
The trailer debuted in May, so what happened between then and now to warrant such a decision? Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, explains, “Based on what we’ve seen, Baz Luhrmann’s incredible work is all we anticipated and so much more. It truly brings Fitzgerald’s American classic to life in a completely immersive, visually stunning and exciting way. We think moviegoers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique film reaches the largest audience possible.”
Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures elaborates, saying, “Baz is known for being innovative, but with this film he has done something completely unexpected—making it in 3D—while capturing the emotion, the intimacy, the power and the spectacle of the time. The responses we’ve had to some of the early sneak peeks have been phenomenal, and we think ‘The Great Gatsby’ will be the perfect summer movie around the world.”
For those who weren’t required to read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel in high school, The Great Gatsby is a story narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to New York City from the Midwest and moves in next door to exciting millionaire Jay Gatsby. Gatsby has carefully set events in motion to put his former love Daisy Buchanan back in his life. She has married into money since they parted, and parties and passion play out against the backdrop of the Jazz Age.
Leonardo DiCaprio rejoins director Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet) as he portrays Jay Gatsby, and Tobey Maguire puts web-slinging away in favor of the role of Nick Carraway. Carey Mulligan (An Education) is Daisy Buchanan, and Joel Edgerton (the young and less curmudgeonly Owen Lars of the Star Wars prequels) plays her husband Tom.
I’m rather sad about the delay. Lurhmann’s Moulin Rouge! is one of my favorite movies, and I’m curious to see if his adaptation of Fitzgerald’s story thrills or disappoints. Quite often, delays are the result of poor test screenings or issues with post-production or re-shoots. However, since the sneak peek responses have been “phenomenal,” this does not seem to be the case. So it may simply be what they say, and they’re aiming for a summer blockbuster rather than a holiday one.
Guess I’ll just have to wait until next year to see what happens.