Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann is a next-level showman. He knows how to craft high-energy spectacle with splendid eye candy livening up the drama. Luhrmann’s frenetic but controlled style has given the world films such as Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby, and every teen’s favorite Shakespeare adaptation, Romeo + Juliet.
But in latest news, the director is presently working on his long-awaited film about Elvis Presley, but an adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s famed Russian Novel “The Master and Margarita” is possible in his future.
The Novel
“The Master and Margarita” is a 20th century classic. Bulgakov’s novel is a satire of Soviet Society and features a love story spanning space and time. Initially banned during Stalin’s regime, Bulgakov wasn’t even alive for his novel’s success. Over 100 million copies were sold over the world, and best of all, it inspired the Rolling Stones’ song, “Sympathy for the Devil.”
A Passion Project for Luhrmann
Luhrmann acquired the publication and distribution rights to the novel, and he’s considering directing the adaptation himself. And he’s extremely proud and passionate to be adapting the novel, adding that he’s “had an incredible connection with the story of The Master and Margarita.”
“Stretching back almost 20 years…[I] have long sought the rights to this extraordinary book. I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do an interpretation of this groundbreaking work.”
The filmmaker acquired the book with fellow producers, Svetlana Migunova-Dali and Grace Loh.
In a joint statement, they added:
“It is an absolute dream come true to be collaborating with Baz on ‘The Master and Margarita.’ The words of Bulgakov remain as poignant in the world today as nearly a century ago, and we can’t imagine a more brilliant and visionary filmmaker to bring this powerful story to audiences around the world.”
Another High-Profile Adaptation for Luhrmann
Luhrmann doesn’t scare easily when it comes to adapting classic novels, which he has a strong track record of handling, depending upon whom you ask. While his films aren’t always the “best” adaptations, they are at the end of the day, fairly good movies.
I mean he did turn “The Great Gatsby” into a 3D Leonardo DiCaprio-Tobey Maguire bromance extravaganza. Not a faithful interpretation of Gatsby and Nick Carraway’s relationship, but it made for fine spectacle nonetheless.
Similar criticisms apply to Romeo + Juliet, but Luhrmann’s style is typically so overwhelming and pleasing to the eyes and senses, it’s easy to overlook any nitpicks regarding faithfulness.
What Else is Luhrmann Working On?
Most recently, the filmmaker produced a stage adaptation of his film Moulin Rouge! for Broadway. Creatively, it wasn’t a smashing success according to some fans, but financially, it engulfed Broadway in an ever-burning fire as it made over $2 million a week. It’s a hot (and expensive) ticket in New York. The soundtrack debuted no. 1 on Billboard, too, and earned Luhrmann an Emmy nomination. Come what may, I suppose?
The stage musical is another big success Luhrmann can add to his resume, which will soon include an untitled Elvis Presley biopic. Shooting commences in February on the film.
Although The King was a Tennessee boy, Luhrmann is shooting the movie in his home country, Australia, where he also shot “The Great Gatsby.” Over the last few years, Australia has been an extremely attractive destination for many major productions, thanks to its sweet tax breaks.
The Elvis Presley movie stars Austin Butler (Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood) as The King and Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Parker. It’s a classic showbiz relationship that’s “complicated” at best. It’s also a tragic story not unfamiliar to Luhrmann, whose stories usually end in tragedy with the young and beautiful dying too soon.
