Summer Layoff: Gatsby Pushed to 2013

In somewhat surprising news, Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" will be moved from Christmas 2012 until summer 2013.

The move has a few repercussions, the most notable of course is the removal of the film from this years Oscar race. From what we've seen so far, the set design and costumes are a shoe-in for nominations, and performances from past nominees like DiCaprio and Mulligan are always worth keeping an eye on.

The studio has a number of other titles to push for this years awards, including Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Hobbit" and Ben Affleck's Iran hostage crisis drama "Argo". This also gives DiCaprio some breathing room in the public relations department because he also has a starring role in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," which is also slated for a Christmas 2012.

Gatsby Trailer Arrives and It's Fantastic

You knew Baz would make the world of Gatsby luxurious, and boy does he. Leonardo Dicaprio is a perfect Gatsby and the rest of the cast looks fantastic as well, including Tobey Maguire, Jason Clarke, Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan. Can't wait til Christmas.

Ben Affleck Wanted For "Great Gatsby"

Although I admit I'm slightly afraid of what Baz Luhrmann might do to "The Great Gatsby," so far I can't knock the man for his casting choices. The book is my favorite of all time and he has landed three of my personal favorite actors to play parts in the film and is looking at another one.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Ben Affleck is in talks to join Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic "The Great Gatsby" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Leonardo DiCaprio is pegged to play the wealthy and mysterious Jay Gatsby who still pines for his former flame Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Tobey Maguire also stars, while Affleck is said to be interested in playing Daisy's wealthy husband Tom Buchanan.

As of right now there is a slight scheduling conflict with Affleck, his next directorial effort, the political thriller "Argo", is currently aiming to shoot in September while "Gatsby" is looking to start in August, but both sides are trying to figure it out.

Many have knocked Affleck's acting in the past, but his performances recently, including in "The Town," and his directorial work should be enough to say that he is a great choice. Affleck would be the perfect type to play opposite DiCaprio and he has the machismo and look to play the brutish Tom Buchanan.

The film has potential to be something truly amazing, especially since the cast is filled with a slew of former Oscar nominees and talented actors. The 3D project aims to kick off principal photography in August.

Josh Lucas Signs On For "J. Edgar"

Clint Eastwood's upcoming film "J. Edgar" is shaping up to be quite the biopic. The top of the cast is fantastic with Leonardo DiCaprio set to play J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer signed to play his lover Clyde Tolson.

The supporting cast is excellent as well, and just got a bit better by adding another solid name to a list which already includes Judi Dench, Damon Herriman and Ed Westwick. According to Deadline Josh Lucas has joined the cast of Eastwood's new biopic.

Lucas will play one of America's most well-known figures, pilot Charles A. Lindbergh in the drama. Five years after receiving worldwide acclaim for flying across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, Lindbergh's son was kidnapped and later murdered. J. Edgar Hoover was the head of The Bureau of Investigation, which was handling the extremely notable case.

Eastwood is directing from a script by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, though shooting dates have yet to be locked.

According to the article Lucas is also rumored to be playing Lincoln in the adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which actually would be a pretty good fit. Over his career Lucas has been a solid performer and has turned in some excellent work in films like "American Psycho," "A Beautiful Mind" and "You Can Count on Me."

Eastwood's film is sure to be an awards contender when it is released and the cast keeps getting more and more solid. The film should shoot later this year for a 2012 release.

DiCaprio Stands On The Grassy Knoll in the Upcoming JFK Movie

No matter what day of the week it is, it seems that Leonardo DiCapro can’t escape the news.

Whether it's him being onboard a flight that had to make an emergency landing, or that he's producing a new film, America's favorite star can’t hide.

And I don’t think anyone's complaining.

After news came out that he will shoot Clint Eastwood's "Hoover" biopic early next year, DiCaprio has signed on to star and produce "Legacy of Secrecy," a film adaptation of Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann's book about the John F. Kennedy assassination, according to Variety.

The book follows FBI informant Jack Van Laningham (DiCaprio), who was part of a dangerous and long-term undercover operation in which he became confidant to Mafia godfather Carlos Marcello, a man who ran much of the organized crime throughout Louisiana and Texas.

The book claims Marcello confessed to Van Laningham to having ordered JFK's assassination and includes a bunch of information from declassified FBI files dealing with the clandestine undercover operation. Marcello's name did not appear in the 1964 Warren Report on the assassination.

Although the release date is ways off, it's great to see that such a talented actor has lined up so many good projects in the near future. After blazing screen's this year in "Shutter Island" and "Inception," DiCaprio seemingly can't miss.

He is set to star in the upcoming "The Great Gatsby" film as the title character as well as the upcoming "Hoover" movie. Both should pack prestige and box-office--as will this project once it gets off the ground.

DiCaprio will produce through his Appian Way production company. A 2013 release is likely to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the assassination.

DiCaprio's J. Edgar Hoover Flick Begins Filming Early Next Year

After a year in which he gave two of his best career performances, Leonardo DiCaprio literally is in a place where he can take on whatever role he pleases. Early on, he gave one of his best in "Shutter Island" before dizzying audiences in Christopher Nolan's "Inception" over the summer.

Around that time came news that DiCaprio would be starring in Clint Eastwood's biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, but there was no word on when that would actually begin. But now we have confirmation from the actor himself. Filming on the project will start early next year.

Word comes from DiCaprio through Coming Soon, who commented on the project on Sunday during a Q&A presentation titled "Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese in Conversation."

Legendary actor-director Clint Eastwood will direct DiCaprio in the role of Hoover, while screenwriter Dustin Lance Black penned the screenplay. Black of course won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for penning the screenplay for "Milk."

Said DiCaprio at the event: “I will be working with Clint very soon on the Hoover project. I think it's going to start very soon, maybe January or February.”

Since Black had previously written "Milk" and is openly gay, many in the industry think the script could focus on Hoover's rumored homosexuality and cross-dressing. Eastwood, has confirmed that that's at least partly true, but still hasn't divulged much.

Said Eastwood: "He was a very complex person. The homosexual aspect is just one of many. I would say that's the least of his problems. But he was also very clever, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he was very clever about keeping himself in a certain position in life, so it is an interesting study."

Hoover vehemently denied he was gay, but willed his estate to Clyde Tolson, his alleged lover. The two men also worked together, Tolson landed the plum post of associate director after only three years at the agency, and frequently socialized together. Other evidence that Hoover was gay includes the fact that many of his closest friends were closeted men. Rumors that Hoover was a crossdresser persist to this day.

Whether they focus on the homosexual aspect or not, this film is shaping up to be a supreme awards contender whenever it is released. With talents like Eastwood, DiCaprio and Black all collaborating together, the sky is the limit when it comes to quality. I'm sure no one would be surprised if the three ended up landing Oscar nominations for their work.

Filming should kick of early next year.

Leonardo DiCaprio Kills For "Devil in the White City"

With both "Shutter Island" and "Inception" hitting theaters in 2010, this was yet another big year for one of America's favorite leading men, Leonardo DiCaprio. The next year looks to be just as big.

With his feet already dipped into the film "Prisoners" (in development) and Clint Eastwood's Hoover biopic on the horizon, DiCaprio has added another very interesting option to the mix.

Through his production company Appian Way, the actor is set to star and produce the film adaptation of Erik Larson's bestselling book, "The Devil in the White City," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The nonfiction book, which spent three years on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold 2.3 million copies in 17 languages, is set against the backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and tells the interweaving stories of two men--fair architect Daniel H. Burnham and serial killer H.H. Holmes.
In a short amount of time, Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, was forced to overcome immense obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built.

The other man, Holmes, was a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair. Holmes devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims to their death.

Armed with a gas chamber and a crematorium, Holmes would murder his victims and strip them to their skeletons to sell for medical and scientific study. Holmes killed at least 27 people, though some say the number was closer to 200.

Aside from the fact that the story is amazingly interesting, DiCaprio is to play the "villain" of the film--the murder-minded Holmes rather than Burnham the architect.

The project has bounced around Hollywood since the book was released, with Tom Cruise's production company having picked up the rights to the book in 2003 (but let the option lapse), and once having Kathryn Bigelow attached to direct and produce.

DiCaprio's Appian Way, along with Double Features, acquired the screen rights to the book, and should soon be hiring a writer and director before making a deal with a larger studio.

It was rumored that David Fincher was interested in directing, but with him now on the adaptation of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," scheduling may not allow it. While a Finer-DiCaprio pairing would be almost too-good-to-be-true, I think any competent director could craft this story into an interesting film. DiCaprio has played such a wide variety of roles throughout his career that I have confidence in him taking on anything.

Not much is known to the public about Holmes, and I think it shows great range by DiCaprio to take on a character who is intelligent and charming--and also a mass murderer.

Depending on who they get to helm the film, this one could start moving quickly.

Baz Luhrmann Needs A "Great" Woman for his "Great Gatsby" Adaptation

Back when the news first dropped last year that Baz Luhrmann would be helming a new adaptation of the classic American novel "The Great Gatsby," I admit it, I was unsure of how to react.

Not that I think Baz is a bad director, but I hold the novel in such high regard (it is no doubt my favorite book all-time) that I really hoped that if a new adaptation would go into production, it would be with someone like Martin Scorsese or Joe Wright (who I think, after seeing "Atonement," could handle any period piece anywhere). And after seeing how authentic "Boardwalk Empire" looks, a guy like Martin would be perfect.

But after my initial reaction, I let things set in for a while. Then the news on the film started coming out, and suddenly, I was a believer.

I hate to state rumors as fact, but these are just too hard to pass up. According to The Wrap, a few weeks ago longtime friends Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire were in New York workshopping scenes for Luhrmann's planned adaptation. Of course, reading for a role does not necessarily mean an actor is signed for it, but why would such high-profile actors spend time workshopping if there wasn't at least a CHANCE they'd be signing onto the film?

On top of that news came out this week courtesy of Deadline that actress Rebecca Hall, most recently seen in "The Town" as well as in Christopher Nolan's underrated "The Prestige," is supposedly the top choice to play the immortal role of Daisy Buchanon in the adaptation.

Luhrmann will audition numerous actresses before making a decision, with Keira Knightley, Amanda Seyfried, Blake Lively, Abbie Cornish, Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson all making the wish list. Hall has the edge, especially considering that she participated in Luhrmann's workshop reading in the role with DiCaprio as Gatsby and Maguire as Nick Carraway.

Numerous filmmakers have taken on the legendary work, most recently a 2000 TV version starring Paul Rudd, Toby Stephens and Mira Sorvino, and the best-known adaptation being the 1974 version with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. The 1974 film was written by Francis Ford Coppola, and while it's a pretty good movie, there always was the feeling that something was missing from it.

I'm trying my best not to jump for joy, because until the actors are actually signed on anything can happen, but I think Maguire and DiCaprio are absolutely perfect for the roles. The fact that they are friends means it makes even more sense, because for any "Gatsby" adaptation to work, the characters of Gatsby and Carraway will have to have some sort of chemistry.

The two have worked together before in both "This Boy's Life" and the little-seen indie "Don's Plum." And we all know DiCaprio and Luhrmann do well together--remember the artsy and interesting "Romeo and Juliet"?

In regards to Daisy, Hall was excellent in "The Town," so if she ends up wining the role, I have no beef with that. I also have no beef with Luhrmann's wish list, which is filled with some beautiful, talented actresses as well.

Luhrmann co-adapted the script with Craig Pearce, who worked on "Moulin Rouge." The book is considered to be one of the greatest American novels ever written, so why not make into one of the best American films of all time?

That's what I'm hoping Luhrmann can pull off, because if he can lock down that cast (and maybe someone like Jeffery Dean Morgan for Tom?), he is going to have one hell of a production on his hands.

http://www.weekinrewind.com/2010/11/baz-luhrmann-needs-great-woman-for-his.html

Ridley Scott Going To "Wall Street"

We're in a recession, but Wall Street seems to be on a hot streak.

Following Oliver Stone's "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps," it looks as if we'll be getting another look at the world of stocks, this time with an adaptation of Jordan Belfort's '90s stock market memoir, "The Wolf of Wall Street."

At first looking to be another re-teaming of Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese, Deadline says it looks as if Ridley Scott is in early discussions to take the reins of the film.

The book follows the supervisor of a group of stockbrokers who live off the extravagant funds they scored from squeezing clients to buy stocks that pay off in the broker's favor. The federal authorities eventually brought down the shady brokers.

DiCaprio and Scorsese came close to doing the project two years ago but it stalled due to a dispute between Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures, resulting in the duo collaborating on "Shutter Island." Now, the scenario is that Scorsese will produce the project alongside DiCaprio, who will star.

Scott loves the script adaptation by Terrance Winter ("The Sopranos," "Boardwalk Empire"), but the biggest obstacle this film has in its way is scheduling.

Between Scott's "Alien" prequel, Scorsese's "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and DiCaprio's starring role in Clint Eastwood's "Hoover," finding time to actually make the movie might be difficult.

The script is reported to be funny, dramatic and fast paced, and manages to make something of a sympathetic character out of a stockbroker who squeezed clients to buy stocks that paid off for the brokers.

How that will fare in a post-Madoff era remains be seen, but with Scott, DiCaprio and Scorcese involved, I think it will turn out quite fine.

Look for more on this project in the coming months.

"Inception" Synopsis Revealed

Warner Bros. Pictures has released an official synopsis for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated yet still very mysterious thriller "Inception" - a synopsis that delivers a basic outline of the story at last:

"Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable.

Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved.

Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible–inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one.

If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming."

I'm more excited for this film than any other this summer. The trailer is mysterious, and just leaves you begging for more. Nolan is a cinematic genius, and this film looks to be mind blowing.

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on July 16th. Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy and Michael Caine also star.

Oliver Stone To Direct "Travis McGee"

Oliver Stone is set to develop and possibly direct the detective thriller "Travis McGee" for 20th Century Fox says The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the Hollywood Reporter: Fresh off directing “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” for Fox, Oliver Stone is in talks to helm “Travis McGee” for the studio. Leonardo DiCaprio is attached to star as the lit-based title character.

John D. MacDonald's character creation is a beach bum and scrappy private dick who lives on a houseboat in Florida and takes random cases.

The McGee film, penned by Dana Stevens, is based on the first book in the series "The Deep Blue Goodbye". The novel tracks the Florida-based “salvage consultant” as he reluctantly leaves his houseboat to go in search of a treasure hidden by a soldier after World War II.

Leonardo Di Caprio, Peter Chernin, Amy Robinson and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are set to produce.

Anything DiCaprio is attached to will generate some headlines, but the pairing of Stone and the leading man is almost too good to be true. Let's hope this film goes down as planned.

Movie News: Leonardo DiCaprio Up For Vigilante Thriller "Prisoners"

Leonardo DiCaprio is apparently keen on starring in "Prisoners" for Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures.

According to Deadline Hollywood: Guzikowski's Black List script centers on a small-town carpenter whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, the man turns vigilante and starts an investigation of his own.

Directors like Antoine Fuqua and Bryan Singer, and actors like Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Mark Wahlberg have all been circling or attached at one point in the past few years. All have since dropped out for various reasons.

“Prisoners” has a “Mystic River”-meets-“Taken” storyline, and DiCaprio wants to play the small-town carpenter role. Said Kosove: “In the 12 years we’ve run this company, this is the most interesting, morally complex thriller we’ve ever gotten, and we can’t wait to make the movie.”

DiCaprio aside, this script sounds as if it has potential to be a great film. This project may not happen for a while, but be sure to keep an eye on it when it does.

John Curran's F. Scott Fitzgerald Biopic To Shoot This Spring?

John Curran's F. Scott Fitzgerald biopic, "The Beautiful And The Damned," is reportedly set to begin shooting this spring in Croatia, reports the Playlist.

According to the Playlist: John Curran's F. Scott Fitzgerald biopic, "The Beautiful And The Damned," is reportedly set to begin shooting this spring with Keira Knightley on board to play his wife Zelda and Leonardo DiCaprio still rumored to play the acclaimed author.

Hanna Weg's script will focus on the couple's turbulent marriage and their darker days including Zelda's struggles with schizophrenia. Their travels to Paris and the French Riviera are also reported to be involved with Croatia substituting for said location.

The film's title is appropriately derived from Fitzgerald's second novel, "The Beautiful And Damned," which is about a Jazz Age socialite, his relationship with wife Gloria and his alcoholism, which draws from Fitzgeralds' own life.

The Fitzgeralds were icons of the Jazz Age in the '20s and are famous for their illustrious, erratic lifestyles. Both died in the their forties and left behind a legacy--despite failing when first released, F. Scott's "The Great Gatsby" is now a classic.

“The Great Gatsby” has been my favorite book for a long time, so anything that involves Fitzgerald or the book itself will catch my interest, But having DiCaprio play Fitzgerald? That’s dream-casting right there. I can only hope that turns out to be true. DiCaprio has proved that he is one of the best and most versatile actors in Hollywood today and I think he would be great.

The closest thing we’ve gotten to a “Gatsby” adaptation in recent years was on “Entourage” with Vincent Chase starring in Martin Scorcese’s update. While "The Beautiful And The Damned” wouldn’t be a “Gatsby” adaptation, it’s close enough for me.

Look for more news on this project in the coming weeks.