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Story by: Jack Foley
HOW'S this for a job advert? Boy wanted, aged between 8-9 years
of age, exceptionally gifted, with the looks of a young Leonardo.
What's more, they will require tremendous equestrian skills and
must embody the complicated brilliance of a political leader and
the physical prowess of a warrior in the making...
The job itself? Playing the young Alexander (the Great, that
is), in the forthcoming blockbuster, starring Leonardo DiCaprio
and Nicole Kidman.
It's not something you find in The Guardian Media Guide every
Monday, but it does represent the offer of a (young) lifetime,
and was announced by producers Martha and Dino De Laurentiis,
and director, writer, and producer, Baz Luhrmann, on Monday (July
28).
The search is part of a world-wide casting offer to play the
part of the young Alexander in forthcoming flick, Alexander The
Great, in what is certain to be one of the most talked about movies
of next year.
One of the greatest historical figures of all time, the role
of Alexander the Great will be portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio,
while Baz Luhrmann will direct.
The film will be produced by Dino and Martha De Laurentiis and
Luhrmann and released by Dream Works Pictures and Universal Pictures.
Nicole Kidman will also star as Olympia, Alexander's mother and
one of the most iconic figures in all history.
The project reteams both DiCaprio and Kidman with Luhrmann, following
his Oscar-winner, Moulin
Rouge!, and Broadway triumph, La Boheme.
The Oscar®-nominated DiCaprio (Catch
Me If You Can, Gangs of New
York) catapulted into superstardom when he portrayed Romeo
in Luhrmann's vivid interpretation of William Shakespeare's Romeo
+ Juliet in 1966.
But enough about the established stars and more about the rising
one...
"We are searching for a young Leonardo," explained
Luhrmann, at the launch of the casting search.
"He will play the young Alexander before he became the world-conquering
hero celebrated through history.
"The complicated young man
young man who, while honing the physical skills required of the
warrior-King he was destined to be, also developed a wide intellect
under the tuition of one of the greatest minds of history, Artistotle...
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"The boy we are seeking will be around 8-9 years of age,
exceptionally gifted with the looks of a young Leonardo. Above
all, they will require tremendous equestrian skills as one of
the significant elements of the film will be Alexander's legendary
relationship with the horse, Bucephalus," continued Luhrmann.
As the search for the young Alexander begins, however, Luhrmann
has recently been to Los Angeles, where he dazzled representatives
from both studios with a presentation of his new structure for
the ambitious story and a precise vision for the visual language
and epic reach of the film.
DiCaprio stated afterwards: "The character of Alexander
the Great is one of the most remarkable figures in history.
"It's not just that he conquered the world or was taught
by one of the great minds in history, Aristotle; what most attracts
me is the complex character of Alexander himself - always restless,
impulsive but measured.
"It's truly one of the most extraordinary stories in human
history, the resonance of which has had a direct effect not only
on who we are but where we find ourselves today."
Nicole Kidman added:"Baz and I have often discussed our
love of epic stories and, in particular, those told through simple
human drama.
"The character of Olympia is one of the few iconic women
in history. She is unlike any other woman I've played before and
it's a role I'm really looking forward to."
Based on the short but extraordinary life of the brilliant warrior-conqueror,
who ruled over the largest empire ever to fall under one man,
filming Alexander the Great is the long-held cinematic dream of
De Laurentiis, the producer of several decades' worth of memorable
motion pictures.
Working with Luhrmann continues De Laurentiis' lifelong dedication
to working with the visionary directors, from his early work with
Federico Fellini (on films awarded two Oscars®) and Vittorio
De Sica through contemporary mavericks such as David Lynch.
In 2001, De Laurentiis received the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg
Academy Award® in recognition of his lifetime's contributions
to the motion picture industry.
The person lucky enough to be selected will enjoy one of the
most high profile big-screen debuts in cinema history.
Luhrmann is currently shooting visual effects' plates in Greece
and Iran, having commenced work on VFX in Sydney Australia.
He and De Laurentiis continue to scout practical locations in
Jordan and Australia, having already secured support from King
Mohammed VI of Morocco as well as Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol
of Thailand.
Applicants should send a color head shot, CV and statistical
details, including age, height, weight, and horse riding experience
to:
Universal Pictures Feature Castings Dept
UNTITLED ALEXANDER THE GREAT PROJECT
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 2160/8A
Universal City, CA 91608
USA
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