Amitabh Bachchan signs first Hollywood film

Amitabh Bachchan signs first Hollywood film

After over four decades of contribution to Hindi cinema, Amitabh Bachchan is finally stepping out! At 68, he is ready to make his Hollywood debut with Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby", which has "Titanic" star Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.

Amitabh, who is lovingly called Big B in the Indian film industry, is the latest to join the cast of the romantic drama, along with Scottish-Australian actress Isla Fisher. He will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim, said an official statement from Warner Bros Pictures.

The $125 million project is a 3D adaptation of the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same name. The principal photography of the movie began this week in Sydney.

"Fitzgerald loved the movies and was a passionate believer in the power of cinema. 'The Great Gatsby' has been adapted for the screen no less than four times. Fitzgerald's story defies time and geography. The vision and the goal of our remarkable cast and creatives is to do justice to the deftness of Fitzgerald's telling, and illuminate its big ideas and humanity. This is our challenge and our adventure," said Luhrmann, who made "Moulin Rouge", and used Hindi song "Chhamma chhamma" in it.

Other cast members for "The Great Gatsby" include Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan. The film also features newcomer Elizabeth Debicki. Luhrmann is happy to shoot in his native Australia.

"The opportunity to make the film in Australia with the Bazmark creative team is very important to us; the assistance from Screen Australia and the NSW Government has made that possible," he added.

The film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros Pictures and in certain territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.



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Anonymous's picture

yikes, I hope it turns out good. *fingers crossed*

Anonymous's picture

It has come too late. All the best to AB ji

Anonymous's picture

WOW! Congrates, finally!

Sujata's picture

Wish him all the best!!!

Anonymous's picture

It's actually abhishek... They had an article about it in Australian newspaper a few weeks ago.

filmyfunda's picture

There will be another Bachchan famous worldwide??? GOD FOR LORD'S SAKE .... The world new abt Amitabh even before Ash was born. Seriously i have never come across such fanatics.lol
and i will believe it only when i hear Amitabh talk abt it.

MakeupCritic's picture

Lets hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as Aishwarya. I think he will be popular as he is a great actor and has that amazing charm to him. Good for him!

Schmuck's picture

That is amazing indeed. So soon, there will be two Bachchans who are popular worldwide :)

Anonymous's picture

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entertainment/ Please check this Headline under Leonardo Picture, ""Move Over leonardo DiCarpio. Even BIGGER Star joins The Great Gatby"" ..wells i clicked on to see who is suppose to be bigger than Leo coz he's considered one of the Best in Hollywood, and i found out it is Bachchan Sr. Great News Huh. Huffingtonpost is one of the reputed Blognewspaper in US. No.1 ...Please repost it so People will see AB is Respected in another part of the world too =)))

Anonymous's picture

Anon below its not a good thing to take ur whole family on the red carpet and try to crowd it with the Indian herd menatlity

Anonymous's picture

But Big B always said in interviews that he wont make films OUTSIDE OF INDIA, so what happened now, why after 4 decades and 40 years making indian films his finally venturing outside.

moimeme's picture

finally, its about time...congrats to Big B! can expect all of them on the red carpet..probably the only actor with his whole family...

Anonymous's picture

To Kitty:
Meyer Wolfsheim role is kinda protagonist role, but if it's stick to the novel his character won't be appear alot. Meyer M. is a significant character but the story actually centered on Tobey M. & Leo

Anonymous's picture

Now he can rope in his son for a much needed career boost. Anyway am surprised it took so long for Amitabh to get foren role. I would have thought with his contacts he could have done it earlier. Well better late than never I guess. Or maybe he was being patriotic to his desi roots by supporting the hindi industry.

Anonymous's picture

This is HUGE!

Anonymous's picture

imdb the movie... i dont see him in the casst...

Anonymous's picture

Id be thrilled for him but hes not in the cast.... imdb the movie!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343092/

Anonymous's picture

ummm...ok :S

Kitty's picture

Good for him, I don't know anything about the book is that a good character/role? (Meyer Wolfsheim)

This news reminds me of the story about Leonardo DiCaprio supposedly acting with SRK in an adaptation of Maximum City... anyone know any update about that?

And yeah of course this has nothing to do with Aishwarya, the director is Baz Luhrmann who follows Bollywood so of course he will know the living legend Amitabh Bachchan! But sooner or later every topic has to turn to Aishwarya doesn't it... gosh everybody here is so obsessed with her! ;)

Anonymous's picture

Way to go Big B!!! Bollywood Superstar!!

Anonymous's picture

I am sure Shahrukh is also Planning to get into Hollywood. Mr. Bachchan always take the first lead and the Rest Always follows.

Anonymous's picture

this is an Aussie film not Hollywood

Anonymous's picture

How do you all know it's because of Ashwariya that Mr. Bachchan got into Hollywood?. Don't you think Hollywood has heard of the Greatest Actor India has ever had name Amitabh Bachchan and that's how they know of him.

Mr. Bachchan don't need Ashwariya to help him with his Fame or Recognition, he stand out on his own. Ashwariya couldn't Rescue herself in Hollywood, so do you think she has the Power to get her Family there?. I Certainly don't think she had anything to do with this.

Anonymous's picture

Wow it is about time we see his great talent in Hollywood...for the world will come to know the great Mr B!

Anonymous's picture

Wow just great its about time and i hope he ropes in the love of my life Abhi who at the moment is the most underated actor of Bwood

Anonymous's picture

good job Aish! she is the only one with a career in Bachan family, i mean BIg B doesn't work in movies anymore.. i guess he makes something from that KBC show. Abhi needs to start working!

Anonymous's picture

Hi r u

Anonymous's picture

awesome...i am so excited to see Mr Bachchan.....so proud...

Anonymous's picture

good for him. he deserves it

Anonymous's picture

Aishwarya is doing wonders to this family... Wonder why she could not get Abhi to do a hollywood film?

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