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Carey Mulligan Officially Joining Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby'

by Ethan Anderton
November 15, 2010
Source: Deadline

Last week, before the weekend came along, we found out that the charming Carey Mulligan had become the frontrunner for Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Back when we first heard about Luhrmann's take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, Amanda Seyfried had been mentioned for the part. Then names like Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson were in the running. However, Deadline has heard from director Baz Luhrmann himself that Mulligan is indeed his Daisy Buchanan. In a rare occasion, the filmmaker even provided a rehearsal picture of Mulligan all made-up in character which you can see below.

Apparently the actress just found out about her casting while in the reception line for The Fashion Council Awards in New York when she got the call on her cell phone from Luhrmann. Despite being in the presence of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (who was prominently featured in the documentary The September Issue), Mulligan burst into tears right there on the red carpet, and that just makes me fall in love with her even more. Here's what Luhrmann had to say about his workshops with actors while searching for his cast and how he broke the news to Ms. Mulligan:

"The results from the workshop process on The Great Gatsby have been very encouraging. There are a few elements that I feel need to be resolved before I would categorically state that this is my next film. Regarding the role of Daisy Buchanan, I was privileged to explore the character with some of the world's most talented actresses, each one bringing their own particular interpretation, all of which were legitimate and exciting. However, specific to this particular production of The Great Gatsby, I was thrilled to pick up the phone an hour ago to the young Oscar-nominated British actress Carey Mulligan and say to her, 'Hello, Daisy Buchanan.'"

It sounds like Luhrmann is simply being cautious, and is well aware that the next project isn't officially the next project until he's on set shooting. But with casting going so well, and all the pieces coming together, it's a safe bet that The Great Gatsby will be the next project we see from Baz Luhrmann. It seems like DiCaprio is all but official, and Tobey Maguire seems to pretty much be locked as well. In addition there are plenty of other roles to be cast, so while Luhrmann has some hard work ahead of him, this isn't a bad start. Until we hear more, check out the first look photo below and stay tuned for any updates! What do you guys think?

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

katrina

well, i am not going to watch the movie anymore. that's what i think!
ryn

Why? Mulligan is fantastic I'm pumped lets do this.
http://spaze.info rado

terrible, one to avoid. i saw her in "wall street" and still can't shake off the horror.
katrina

i just don't see her as daisy because she's too smart looking to play a ditsy and shallow role.
katrina

@ rado: i think she's okay, i fell asleep to an education though. williams is far better than her in my opinion. natalie portman is also great but she's too smart looking too, maybe for the jordan role. amanda seyfried is also good, she has range and versatility. she shifts to her character easily and compellingly, but she's too young looking opposite leonardo dicaprio.
I am...

Of course it will suck, Carey is simply not up to match the Dicaprio. Hopefully they won't kiss and it will be watchable. loll! Nobody cares nowadays about my choices for the casting, this will suck...what was his last movie again...Australia..hmmm it's understandable then... Dicaprio, you can still get out. There should be a clause somewhere saying that if the lead actress is not as hot as the lead actor, it shouldn't get made.... that's fair for us all! Winsley Dicaprio...Yes anytime Cotillard Dicaprio...Yes, once or twice Amy Adams Dicaprio...Yes, anytime Carey Dicaprio!! Nope, it sucks!!!!
I am...

I love you Katrina @ #1. Let's make our movies where we will cast hotties together and it will be watchable
Day

Carey is awesome, I love her work so much, but she is too good damn young to play Daisy opposite Leo. She will do wonders, I am sure, but I feel like this film may be unwatchable when they kiss. They should have gone with Michelle Williams!
fiel

i agree with katrina @ number 5. the 3 actresses you mentioned are actually by far the most talented in baz's previous list. i wonder what if portman, seyfried, and williams red/auditioned (which i hoped happened because they didn't) for the part of daisy, will mulligan still get the part? but on the brighter side, thank goodness blake lively didn't get it!
Kay

Sucks for Rebecca Hall, but I guess that's the life of an actor/actress.
Walter

I don't know why you guys are lisenting to a person that apprently dosent like good movies. I mean you fell asleep during an education. Though on the other hand I agree she kinda young for the role and she dosent give off the ditsy vibe.
Jay

TERRIBLE! Absolutely terrible! I absolutely love and adore The Great Gatsby. It is my all time favorite book and this bitch is no Daisy! Not at all! I can't believe this atrocity! I was delighted to hear DiCaprio as Gatsby as I believe it to be an excellent choice. Tobey was a poor choice but I figured with a strong enough cast he could get by. But now, this is just brutal! What is baz thinking! Terrible choice....absolutely terrible!
Keith

@ Walter: So you consider yourself a perfect movie watcher? Really you know all good movies? Because I am sure that not everyone, 100% of the population was delighted by An Education and considered it good. As for Carey Mulligan, I think she's a solid choice but I don't think she's the right choice for Daisy. Baz could have explored more outside and aside from her and the actresses she considered. Someone who wouldn't make Leo DiCaprio look so old and pervert.