Luhrmann To Delay His 'Alexander The Great' To 2005

[Wednesday, May 7th, 2003]
While Oliver Stone is trying to get his version of Alexander into theaters for Thanksgiving 2004, Luhrmann and producer Dino De Laurentiis now say their pic Alexander the Great will not be released until at least late 2005, according to Variety.

The ambitious project -- which carries a budget of around $150 million -- requires the casting of some 70 speaking rolesas well as hordes of extras (supplied from the Moroccan army by King Mohammed VI).

"This huge preparation can't be done in less than eight or nine months," said De Laurentiis, casting some skepticism on whether the Stone project, to be distributed by Warner Brothers and financed by Intermedia, could keep to its 2004 date.

Luhrmann now plans to begin his principal photography in April 2004 and shoot for six months with Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman.

"What most attracts me is the complex character of Alexander himself," said DiCaprio. "His legend is one of the most compelling stories in human history."

Kidman, who will play Olympia, said, "She is unlike any other woman I've played before, and it's a role I'm really looking forward to."

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