Latest news with #Luhrmann
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Ripping yarn': Searching for the lead role in Baz and Tom's Joan of Arc epic
Baz Luhrmann and Tom Keneally: creative collaborators? Sounds unlikely but, according to the revered, Booker prize-winning author, the sparkly movie maverick is 'absolutely up to the task' of bringing his epic Joan of Arc story, contained within the pages of his 1974 novel, Blood Red, Sister Rose, to the big screen. 'We have more in common than you might think,' Keneally tells me. 'We both grew up in Wauchope [the small NSW North Coast township] and survived the same Catholic school, albeit years apart.' Like Keneally's book about France's patron saint, Lurhmann's film will enter the mind of Jehanne d'Arc, the gender-defying teenager who, in 1429, liberated the French dauphin (later crowned Charles VII) from English claims to the throne after convincing him she was a divine prophet, only to be captured by the enemy and burnt at the stake for heresy. Luhrmann has written the screenplay with emerging British talent Ava Pickett, who penned 1536, a play depicting the last days of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. Loading 'Joan of Arc is a ripping yarn about a strange young girl wearing men's clothes and claiming divine visions who swept into the centre of power and upended everything,' says Keneally. 'Baz's vision is the same as mine. We see how relevant the story's themes are today. I see Greta Thunberg as a modern-day Joan. There are certainly people out there who'd like to see her burnt at the stake.' Keneally, whose Schindler's Ark became the multiple-Oscar-winning Schindler's List under the direction of Steven Spielberg 32 years ago, is excited to see what Luhrmann and his collaborator-wife, Catherine Martin, come up with. He's impressed with Luhrmann's depth of research so far, which has included personally wearing 15th-century suits of armour to better understand the character. 'I'm particularly interested to see their recreation of the French court and of fascinating characters, such as Queen Yolande [a powerful ally of Joan's]. Baz will also need to find a very special young actor for the lead.' Online chatter offers up Zendaya, who famously paid homage to Joan in chain mail and bobbed hair at the 2018 Met Gala, and Milly Alcock, the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts alumna who made a name for herself last year in House of the Dragon. Shooting on Jehanne d'Arc will start on the Gold Coast, where Luhrmann made Elvis in 2020 and has since set up headquarters for his and Martin's production company, Bazmark.
The Age
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘Ripping yarn': Searching for the lead role in Baz and Tom's Joan of Arc epic
Baz Luhrmann and Tom Keneally: creative collaborators? Sounds unlikely but, according to the revered, Booker prize-winning author, the sparkly movie maverick is 'absolutely up to the task' of bringing his epic Joan of Arc story, contained within the pages of his 1974 novel, Blood Red, Sister Rose, to the big screen. 'We have more in common than you might think,' Keneally tells me. 'We both grew up in Wauchope [the small NSW North Coast township] and survived the same Catholic school, albeit years apart.' Like Keneally's book about France's patron saint, Lurhmann's film will enter the mind of Jehanne d'Arc, the gender-defying teenager who, in 1429, liberated the French dauphin (later crowned Charles VII) from English claims to the throne after convincing him she was a divine prophet, only to be captured by the enemy and burnt at the stake for heresy. Luhrmann has written the screenplay with emerging British talent Ava Pickett, who penned 1536, a play depicting the last days of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. Loading 'Joan of Arc is a ripping yarn about a strange young girl wearing men's clothes and claiming divine visions who swept into the centre of power and upended everything,' says Keneally. 'Baz's vision is the same as mine. We see how relevant the story's themes are today. I see Greta Thunberg as a modern-day Joan. There are certainly people out there who'd like to see her burnt at the stake.' Keneally, whose Schindler's Ark became the multiple-Oscar-winning Schindler's List under the direction of Steven Spielberg 32 years ago, is excited to see what Luhrmann and his collaborator-wife, Catherine Martin, come up with. He's impressed with Luhrmann's depth of research so far, which has included personally wearing 15th-century suits of armour to better understand the character. 'I'm particularly interested to see their recreation of the French court and of fascinating characters, such as Queen Yolande [a powerful ally of Joan's]. Baz will also need to find a very special young actor for the lead.' Online chatter offers up Zendaya, who famously paid homage to Joan in chain mail and bobbed hair at the 2018 Met Gala, and Milly Alcock, the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts alumna who made a name for herself last year in House of the Dragon. Shooting on Jehanne d'Arc will start on the Gold Coast, where Luhrmann made Elvis in 2020 and has since set up headquarters for his and Martin's production company, Bazmark.
The Advertiser
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Aussie filmmaking royalty in the King's spotlight
It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection.
West Australian
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Aussie filmmaking royalty in the King's spotlight
It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection.
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie filmmaking royalty in the King's spotlight
It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection.
