Baz Luhrmann has built a career around the concept of love. Now if only the studio he’s made millions for would start showing a little.
Champing at the bit to kick off production on his next film – an untitled romantic epic starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as lovers during World War Two – the Moulin Rouge man is having a little trouble convincing 20th Century Fox to sign off. The studio is worried about protecting what will be a huge investment. And that’s without Russell Crowe’s likely “phone” bills.
"To say that it is a complex and large-scale undertaking is an understatement and I cannot formally announce the project until all of the crucial elements are secure," Luhrmann told newspaper The Australian, adding, "Currently, they are not, and so it is true we've had to disengage some of our very loyal team. As soon as we are able to bring those crucial elements together I will be able to make a formal announcement concerning the starting date of the production, at which time it will also be named."
Key to getting the film up and running is finding a shooting slot that corresponds with the right weather. Luhrmann has to start the film in August or face floods when the rainy season starts. And he has to juggle the schedules of two very busy actors. According to the director we can expect an announcement in two weeks. Crossed fingers all round, then.