Australia (2008 film)

Infobox Film
name = Australia


caption =
director = Baz Luhrmann
producer = Baz Luhrmann
Catherine Knapman
G. Mac Brown
writer = Baz Luhrmann
Ronald Harwood
Stuart Beattie
Richard Flanagan
starring = Nicole Kidman
Hugh Jackman
David Wenham
Bryan Brown
cinematography = Mandy Walker
editing = Dody Dorn
distributor = 20th Century Fox
released = 26 November 2008 (Australia)
26 November, 2008 (USA)
budget = $120,000,000
country = Australia United States
language = English
imdb_id = 0455824

"Australia" is an upcoming period epic film directed by Baz Luhrmann. Written by Luhrmann and screenwriter Stuart Beattie, with Ronald Harwood also later credited, "Australia" stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. The story takes place during the bombing of Darwin in Australia during World War II. Production took place in Sydney, Darwin, Kununurra, and Bowen. The movie was to be released on November 13 2008 in Australia [http://www.valmorgan.com.au/au/movie-planner/details-view/movieid/20009864/moviesdate/0/ Val Morgan Cinema Network - : Details view ] ] and November 16 2008 in the United States; [cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=article&articleid=VR1117983222| title=2008 awards season shaping up | author=Pamela McClintock | publisher=Variety | date=2008-03-31 | accessdate=2008-04-01 ] however, Fox announced that it had pushed back the release dates in Australia and United States until November 26 2008cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991269.html?categoryid=13&cs=1| title=Nicole Kidman's 'Australia' Pushed Back | author=Michaela Boland | publisher=Variety | date=2008-08-28 | accessdate=2008-08-29 ] and rolling out worldwide throughout December.

Premise

During World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) is an English aristocrat who is left in control of a cattle station in Australia. She is assisted by an Australian drover (Hugh Jackman), with whom she becomes romantically interested. He helps to drive the cattle across the property as they are under the threat of nearby Darwin being bombed.

Cast

*Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah Ashley, an English aristocrat who inherits the cattle station Faraway Downs in Australia.
*Hugh Jackman as an Australian drover who helps Lady Sarah Ashley move the cattle across the property.
*Essie Davis as Katherine
*David Wenham as Neil Fletcher, a station manager who plans to take Faraway Downs from Lady Sarah Ashley.
*Jack Thompson as Kipling Flynn, an alcoholic accountant who enjoys a luxurious lifestyle.
*Bryan Brown as King Carney, a cattle baron who owns much of the land in northern Australia.
*Brandon Walters as the drover's assistant Nullah, a young boy who helps drive the cattle for Lady Sarah Ashley.
*David Gulpilil as King George, a magic tribal elder.
*Yuen Wah

Production

In May 2005, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman entered negotiations to star in an untitled 20th Century Fox project written by director Baz Luhrmann and screenwriter The following June, Luhrmann ultimately replaced Crowe with actor Hugh Jackman. [cite news | author= | url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/06/09/showbuzz/#2 | title=Jackman taking over for Crowe | publisher=CNN | date=2006-06-09 | accessdate=2007-04-28 ] The untitled project was scheduled to begin production in September 2006, but scheduling conflicts and budget issues postponed the start of production to February 2007.In November 2006, Luhrmann explored The Kimberley to determine the amount of production to be shot there. He also began searching for an actor to play an Aboriginal boy of 8–10 years old. The director planned to begin filming in March 2007. [cite news | author= | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1778649.htm | title=Luhrmann epic to start filming in March | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=2006-11-01 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ] Principal photography would last five months. Later in the month, Luhrmann titled his project "Australia". Two other titles that he considered for the film were "Great Southern Land" and "Faraway Downs". [cite news | author=Garry Maddox | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/luhrmann-to-parade-australias-epic-scale/2006/11/22/1163871482154.html | title=Luhrmann to parade Australia's epic scale | publisher=The Age | date=2006-11-23 | accessdate=2007-04-28 ] In December 2006, Bowen was chosen as a filming location for a third of the production, portraying the look of Darwin. [cite news | author= | url=http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=340410 | title=Luhrmann epic to be shot in Bowen | publisher=The West Australian | date=2006-12-12 | accessdate=2007-04-28 ] Bowen was chosen as a prospect due to the financing of $500,000 by the Queensland government. [cite news | author=Des Partridge | coauthors=Rosanne Barrett | url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20917320-3102,00.html | title=Grant lures Baz | publisher=The Courier-Mail | date=2006-12-13 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ] In January 2007, actors Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, and David Wenham were cast into "Australia". [cite news | author= | url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21116465-7485,00.html | title=An epic showcase | publisher=Sydney Confidential | date=2007-01-25 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ]

In April, Kununurra was chosen as another location for "Australia", this time to serve as Faraway Downs, the homestead owned by Kidman's character.cite news | author=Rachel Browne | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/nic-gets-saddle-tips/2007/04/15/1176575723647.html | title=Other Tom gives Nic saddle tips | publisher=The Age | date=2007-04-16 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ] Later that month, 11-year-old Brandon Walters was cast into the role of the Aboriginal boy that Luhrmann was seeking. [cite news | author=Katie Hampson | url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=23&ContentID=26307 | title=Broome boy rides high in Aussie blockbuster | publisher=The West Australian | date=2007-04-18 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ] Principal photography began on April 30 in Sydney,cite news | author=Johnathon Moran | url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,21638026-5001026,00.html?from=public_rss | title=Nicole and Hugh film "Australia" | publisher=The Daily Telegraph | date=2007-04-29 | accessdate=2007-04-29 ] and moved to Bowen on May 14.

Principal photography wrapped at Fox Studios, Sydney, on 19 December, 2007.cite news | author=australiamovie.net| url=http://www.australiamovie.net/12/2007/thats-a-wrap-people/ | title=Thats A Wrap People | date=2007-04-16 | accessdate=2007-12-19 ]

As of May 23^rd 2008, a trailer is available online. [ [http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/australia/ Apple Trailers - Trailer for "Australia"] ]

On August 11^th 2008, eight months after filming wrapped, several members of the cast and crew were back at Fox Studios, Sydney, to film pick up shots. cite news | author=australiamovie.net| url=http://www.australiamovie.net/2008/08/pick-up-shoots-commence-at-fox-studios/ | title=Pick Ups Commence At Fox Studios | date=2008-08-11 | accessdate=2008-08-16 ]

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0455824|title=Australia

* [http://www.australiamovie.com Official Website]