Leapfrogging Luhrmann

Proving there's never anything so dangerous as dismissing the underdog, Oliver Stone has only gone and got his Alexander the Great epic back in the running by overtaking Baz Luhrmann's rival project about the big Greek. Cannily closing a deal with Warner Bros to distribute the major flick, Stone has ensured that his passion project starring Colin Farrell as the Macedonian vanquisher is now greenlit for a June start, a good several months before Luhrmann's version will realistically be able to start shooting. It had proudly been announced that the barmy Aussie's project would kick into action next month, complete with help from the Moroccan King Mohammed VI and his cooperative troops. But as Luhrmann has become more entangled with the opening of his operatic efforts on Broadway and film commitments have grown and grown for his star Leonardo DiCaprio, production will now only start next Autumn at the earliest. So ready yourselves and prepare for an onslaught of classical conquering Stone style. If ever there was a director to match Baz Lurhmann's manic artistry, Stone's the man.