An interesting fit, for sure, but good? That remains to be seen.

I thought Scorsese signed on to direct with Vinnie Chase attached to star. This is very disappointing :(

Doesn't everyone in high school have to read this book?

I did, and I enjoyed it

no. it's a bad fit. and i can't forget that australia happened. and you should read it, it's a really good book. i never read it in high school, i just faked my way through the essay i was supposed to write on it. i read it as an adult though and really appreciated it.

it wasn't period when it came out, think of it that way.

It's actually one of the few books I was forced to read in High School that I liked. I was actually pretty against it at first. It sounded boring, and took me a while, but I turned around and really loved it. The movie was good, too. Not sure if it needs to be a movie again, though.

"The Great Gatsby never looked like a fun read (then again, I hate period dramas)...." It was published in 1925, and is set in the '20's. By your definition, everything not set in the future is a period drama, and you've dismissed pretty much all literature with two meaningless words. Sorry to be hard on you, but that was a bit daft.

I'm not calling Gatsby a period drama, although I am making the statement that I usually am bored by period dramas (especially romantic period dramas). And I'm sorry, from what I understand, Gatsby would probably be considered a period drama, as it is about what was happening at the time economically and socially,

At worst, I think you owe it to yourself to watch the Robert Redford Gatsby. It is a really good movie adaptation. Even if you never get around to reading the book.

According to Wikipedia: In the performing arts, a period piece is a work set in a particular era. This informal term covers all countries, all periods and all genres. It may be as long and general as the medieval era or as limited as one decade—the Roaring Twenties, for example." So I guess by that definition, The Great Gatsby is a period piece, even though it was written in the period in which it's set. Which basically means that any story set during any time in history is a period piece, which bores you. I'd be interested in hearing what kind of stories are left for you to enjoy. Samual Beckett plays, perhaps? I like those, too. Star Wars, I suppose. The Smurfs!

Oh man. Gatsby is way more than a period drama. It is a completely brilliant and gorgeous book about love and America that reads so quickly, you can easily forget how brilliant it is. Baz is definitely an interesting fit. He would seem far too much larger-than-life initially, but then again, most other adaptations - movies or operas have all failed, I think because they get too hung up on the actual plot points of the story, and try to stay faithful to the text - but they can't capture the fire that Fitzgerald makes look so easy - and end up coming across as plain dull. Baz just might have the explosive, out-of-box imagination needed bring the story to life.

agreed. It is a beautiful story

It'll be interesting to see who is casted. I think Luhrmann will do a good job. Hopefully the script is really good.

Yes, casting this will be very interesting. He loves putting fellow Aussies in his flicks but I hope he steers clear of Nicole Kidman this time.

I thought Martin Scorsese was directing this and Vincent Chase was set to star?

This I would see. I just can't wait for the GVS flick with Vince (he assured Vince he'd work with him in the future.)

Definitely worth your time Peter. I love the Great Gatsby and got to read it in my high school lit class, and was actually considering purchasing a cheap paperback for my own not to long ago when I heard Benjamin Button was inspired by an F. Scott story.

The characters and their complex motivations in Gatsby are extremely intriguing, and if the plot outline doesn't look interesting, that's understandable, but F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing style is always a pleasure to read and will suck you into the story (after the weird first page or so introduction by the character Nick). Even most of my classmates back in the day who constantly moaned and groaned about the classic literature they had to read seemed to love this book. It's considered one of the great American novels and may be worth reading just on that statement alone if nothing else. Here's an excerpt by some party goers early in the book who are trying to analyze the mysterious Gatsby character. It might intrigue you. (Who Gatsby is and why he's so rich is only a small part of the mystery. Once you find out what his story is, the psychology behind him becomes even more interesting);

"Gatsby. Somebody told me----"

The two girls and Jordan leaned together confidentially.

"Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once."

A thrill passed over all of us. The three Mr. Mumbles bent forward and listened eagerly.

"I don't think it's so much THAT," argued Lucille sceptically; "it's more that he was a German spy during the war."

One of the men nodded in confirmation.

"I heard that from a man who knew all about him, grew up with him in Germany," he assured us positively.

"Oh, no," said the first girl, "it couldn't be that, because he was in the American army during the war." As our credulity switched back to her she leaned forward with enthusiasm. "You look at him sometimes when he thinks nobody's looking at him. I'll bet he killed a man."

She narrowed her eyes and shivered. Lucille shivered. We all turned and looked around for Gatsby. It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there were whispers about him from those who found little that it was necessary to whisper about in this world.

- As for the Baz Luhrmann part, I can see how he could lend the story the drama and visual scope that it deserves, but I'm not sure another Gatsby movie is necessary. Although, I haven't seen the original but heard it wasn't "Great". Maybe it's time for a great adaptation? Better than remaking the Karate Kid I suppose.

I really like what he did with MOULIN ROUGE! and Romeo and Juliet. He might do good with this one.

Yeah I read it a while back in school. I liked it but even for a book that is short I found it a little... boring at times. I saw the Redford movie which wasn't good. I the Baz is a great is a great choice for the source material-Mouilagn Rouge is kind of a guilty pleasure that I really liked, I thought his Romeo and Juliet was good, and I personally liked Australia even though the movie was an unholy mess.

You know, The Great Gatsby is on my list of top 3 novels I despised reading in high school. But if anyone could make me want to see it, it's Baz Luhrmann.

This is ri-goddamn-diculous. The visual style The Great Gatesby deserves? Are you kidding me? This story lacks the any sort of crazy spectacle that Baz Luhrman gets hard over. My God. After seeing him try so hard to create a modern Gone With the Wind in Australia, I can totally see him doing the same heavy handed garbage here. Which is unfortunate for a such a classic, amazing piece of literature.

I can see the crazy over the top dolly and crane and close up shots he'll probably do with the billboard in the Valley of Ashes. LOOK AT THE EYES PEOPLE!!! THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT MOTIF!!!!!! LOOK DAMN IT!!!!

BTW Peter you gotta read this. It's such a stable of the canon of western lit. Gatesby was the Graduate for the 1920s.

Well I actually was thinking of the Billboard and Ashes setting myself too, but I imagine he would take a little more conservative approach to that visually considering the story inherently is not trying to be a sweeping epic named after an entire continent. I can imagine Gatsby's lavish parties would get a good treatment though, and I think it would be hasty to consider Luhrmann treating this material the same way he approached Australia.

I hate reading, hate it. I loved the Great Gatsby though. Just all sorts of crazy involved.

The Great Gasby is a wonderful novel I would definitely suggest picking it up. I love Lurhman's Moulin Rogue, but did not like Romeo & Juliet and I've yet to see Australia, so I'm not sure how I feel about him making The Great Gasby. If he can reign in his grand guestures I think he will do a fine job, but if he tries to make the novel bigger than it is then I don't think I'll care for it very much.

Baz is a good choice for this. "Gatsby" should be very colorful, musical and a little larger than life. Thinking back on "Romeo + Juliet" and "Strictly Ballroom", I imagine his vision for this would be taken from a similar vein.

You know I think Baz Luhrmann would bring a great visual style that would be perfect for the book. The only problem with the book versus a movie, is that I don't think the book works in the world of film. I think Gatsby is a story that works incredibly well in written form, but in cinema just seems a bit much. I'd love to be wrong, but I don't think there's a screenplay that would make the film as good as the book.

I suppose I am in the minority of those who did not enjoy Baz's Romeo or Moulin Rouge. But, I loved Strictly Ballroom. He is a great visual director, but he takes it a bit too far for me. I'm not sure if I would want him behind the chair. Depends on how grounded he can remain with his visuals.

I'd have given both my nuts and half my dick to adapt this.
Whoever adapts probably won't get beyond the Daisy/Gatsby dynamic and will ultimately fail to acknowledge that Gatsby is truly about the narrator (Nick Carroway) and his own love affair with Jordan Baker. Hell, in Fitzgerald's own words Nick leaves New York after Gatsby's funeral while still "half in love" Jordan. Gatsby and Daisy actually inform and give power to the only true voice of the novel/story which is Nick.

200? would be a perfect opportunity to re-imagine the story for film while at the same time preserving what so many love about this piece of art. But it won't. It will go through the tried, true and obvious hoops of unrequited love without sounding any truly screenworthy depths.

Might as well adapt Murdoch's "The Sea, The Sea" and make it about a finalist for Top Chef who occasionally misses his ex-girlfriend.

It seems like a natural evolution of his style to me, "Australia" fits somewhere in between his flamboyant and showy directing, and his slower approach. "Gatsby" sounds as though it'll require Baz to restrain himself even more, which is cool. I'm glad he's attempting to direct outside of his usual style.

Luhrmann's niche seems to be in the drama genre and I have faith* that he can make something out of the 'Great Gatsby' which is a good novel, that I never really got into.

I'm probably one of the fair few that'll actually admit to enjoying 'Australia' after seeing it a screening.

I really enjoyed reading and watching The Great Gatsby in high school...'Moulin Rouge' and 'Romeo and Juliet' were not bad, but I haven't checked out Australia yet, so maybe Luhrmann can make a great movie out of it...

I agree with you peter, this book always looked damn boring to me. I dont know how i dodged it in high school though. i think i was given a choice and i picked writing about J.D. Salinger. Salinger is pretty cool. This book though, looks boring, and the cover isnt very appealing. Even though i know you cant judge a book by its cover, i still hate it and i cant pick it up. I think i have seen another equally boring cover for it, but i cant remember what it looks like. deep down covers make a difference for me, i am a visual person i guess. Maybe the movie will be good though, and convert me.

you never even read it, so how the hell would you know it's a boring book?

but i said i thought it looked boring. i never said it was, since i havent read it. kindly point your angry broomstick somewhere else, for i am fearful for my anal safety.

"The Great Gatsby never looked like a fun read, which probably explains why I never checked it out (am I wrong?)."

One of the great American novels. You can read it 100 times and find something new. If you could only pick 10 books to take to a desert island, this would be one of them.

Jay Gatsby is one of literature's most iconic figures and embodies so much of what America is, was and could be.

You MUST read this book.

Come on - Australia was a misstep, but a pretty amazing misstep.

And Luhrmann is perfect for Gatsby.

Shame on you Peter. The Great Gatsby is my favorite work of English literature.

I want to see this movie made by Baz Luhrmann.

Australia was pretty good i thought. my interest is pretty high for this one.

I don't know how many times I've read about how much you hate period dramas, and frankly I'm getting sick of hearing about it. Keep it to yourself. Maybe you should actually read the book before you unfairly label it.

And by the way, not everyone thought Australia was a complete disaster. I would LOVE to see Luhrmann direct Gatsby.

Sorry, but this falls squarely under the Worst Idea Ever category.

We just finished reading this in my English class. I loved it - as did most of the other people in my class. We agreed that it was the best novel we've read so far in the year.
I've never seen any of the film adaptations, though. If Luhrmann was to make one, I'd be really interested.

Peter, I highly recommend the novel. It's relatively short. If you can't get through it, at least you tried. There's always Spark Notes.

avoid the 1974 film version with Robert Redford, it was pretty bad.

To put in short, this was Hunter S. Thompson' favorite book (Favorite film "Where the Buffalo Roam"). I don't know a better person to recommend a book, so definitely worth a read.

Also you don't have to focus on the romantic part of the story, there's a lot more going on here. World War I and the lost generation, crime, murder, ect.

As for this new adaptation... it will be about the love story and not be too interesting. Still I'd see it if it had a good cast.

I didnt know that.

Watch "Gonzo" it's the new doc about him.

ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books and I have read it many times. Baz Luhrmann really focuses on the love story in his movies and although there is a predominant love story in the book he would not be the best fit. I like how in Entourage they have Scorcese directing. And I really liked Jason's casting ideas.

I didn't care much for the book when forced to read it. In my opinion you can give him anything and you'll get a great movie. I didn't care much for the book but I would really like to see how he handles it. I was a little more excited when there was talk of him doing Wicked.

the comments here are so interesting. Half of the readers hated the book, and others love it.

Lurhman is going to muck it up! You know he's going to cast Nicole Kidman and her pontoon boat lips as Daisy and it's going to be bad! It's Fitzgerald's old-New York, not a saccharine Moulin Rouge fantasy land!