Big news has dropped today folks. Early on in the year ‘The Great Gatsby’ was thought by just about everyone to be gunning for a whole lot of Oscar love, and it still might, but it’ll have to wait a year. Yes, The Hollywood Reporter writes here that Warner Brothers has moved the 3D film to the summer of 2013 and out of a coveted Christmas Day slot. I don’t think any of us saw this coming, and it definitely shakes up the race a great deal, as you can take the film, Baz Luhrmann’s direction (plus the adapted screenplay he co-wrote), and the performances of Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher out of the equation, not to mention the below the line possibilities. Perhaps this is a sign that Warner is extra confident in the likes of ‘Argo’, ‘Cloud Atlas’, and ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’? After the jump I’ll share with you WB’s reasoning, but it’s time to update those Oscar predictions and take Gatsby off of them. Read on for more below about this very surprising development…
Here’s the statement from Warner Brothers’ President of domestic distribution Dan Fellman and international distribution president Veronika Kwan Vandenberg:
“Based on what we’ve seen, Baz Luhrmann’s incredible work is all we anticipated and so much more. It truly brings Fitzgerald’s American classic to life in a completely immersive, visually stunning and exiting way. We think movieogers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique film reaches the largest audience possible”
-Thoughts? Discuss in the comments!
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Tags: Baz Luhrmann, Carey Mulligan, delays, Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oscar hopeful, The Great Gatsby, tobey maguire, warner bros
14 Comments












BULLSHIT! its all for the money! pleasee Warner Bros…
Dennis Oppong Arthur (@DennisRthr)(Quote) (Reply)
Well, yes…there’s more money in the summer, and less competition in a way. This hardly keeps it out of Oscar contention next year if it’s good, the wait is just longer.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
This is the thing if they thought the movie was crap they would’ve pushed to a late winter early spring release. The movie is already said to be a 3D spectacle. By pushing it to the summer slate they really do believe to have something quite special. Getting excited.
GL(Quote) (Reply)
I’m just sad it’s being pushed because I was starting to get really excited about seeing it. The 3D trailer hints at some gorgeous visuals…but I’m worried it might get drowned out in a summer that’s set to have Man of Steel, Lone Ranger, Star Trek 2, Iron Man 3, Pacific Rim, etc. with most of those being in 3D
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
Terence, my worries precisely — in 1981 Brian De Palma’s masterpiece Blow Out (1981) received rave reviews, but no one went because they were all seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark, Arthur, Superman II…the movie never had a chance and remembers it starred John Travolta at the height of his career — so sure they are showing confidence in the film, moving it to the summer, but they are also gambling — will a summer audience really embrace an adaptation of one of American literature’s greatest works?? During blockbuster season??? I don’t know….maybe, maybe not.
John H. Foote(Quote) (Reply)
Does this mean the film is bad?
Jessie Makowski(Quote) (Reply)
GL- It may wind up being an astute move…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Terence- The possibility is certainly there…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
John- WB will likely push it as counter-programming, which has worked in the past…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Jessie- Not necessarily…it’s likely more about box office than anything else.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
What the trailer shows is a very vibrant, colorful, and kinetic world. These type of pics fare better in the summer. What this means so split for Leo. We’ll have another Tarantino villain in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Alex L(Quote) (Reply)
Maybe so…it’s too early to say for sure, but it certainly doesn’t hurt him.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
This dampens my Christmas plans considerably…
JamDenTel(Quote) (Reply)
Fair enough…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)