One of the last major puzzle pieces of Baz Luhrmann‘s “The Great Gatsby” has been filled, firming up one helluva cast for the adaptation of what many argue is the greatest American novel of all time.
THR reports that rising Australian actor Jason Clarke — of “The Chicago Code,” “Brotherhood” and John Hillcoat‘s upcoming “The Wettest County” among others — has landed the role of George Miller in the film. He joins Leonardo DiCaprio as the wealthy and mysterious Jay Gatsby; Carey Mulligan as Gatsby’s love, Daisy Buchanan; and Isla Fisher as Myrtle, a married woman having an affair with Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). In the midst of this is George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband, who has a crucial impact on the finale of the film. Tobey Maguire rounds out the cast as Nick Carraway.
The film is gearing up to shoot this fall in Australia and while no release date has been set, you might as well slot it into the awards race in 2012.
I\’m also nervous to read that it\’s being shot in Australia. I hope he doesn\’t do the weird thing he did in AUSTRALIA, mixing gorgeous location photography with painfully obvious soundstage work. MOULIN ROUGE worked brilliantly as an entirely soundstage film, because the movie was so over-the-top and stylized, but the use of fake sets and CG backgrounds undermined AUSTRALIA. I\’m very nervous that the subtlety of GATSBY may not mesh well with Luhrmann\’s sledgehammer style.
i want to trust Luhrmann\’s vision, but i think DiCaprio is the wrong choice here. his hollywood baggage is going to take attention away from Gatsby\’s ghosts. that role demands more mystery. sad.
This is one great cast.
Jason Clarke is one of the most underrated actors out there. This is great casting.