The Shamrock Connection

A Green Light that’s Out of Reach?

Thursday, May 24, 2012 By Terry Lee

"Can't repeat the past?" he (Gatsby) cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!" After 38 years, a new film adaption of Scott F. Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby, is expected to release. This will actually be the fourth modern film adaption of the novel since the release of the 1974 film where viewers can again relive the life of Nick Carraway, who watches Jay Gatsby chase his own American Dream. Just finishing principal filming on December 22 of last year and expecting to release on Christmas Day 2012, many are anticipating the film from adoring the book to the selection of the cast. The important question many ask: Will it differentiate from other modern film adaptations, where even the intolerable of remakes will enjoy it? As expected for this remake, big and familiar names were chosen for this American romantic drama film: Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Carey Mulligen as Daisy Buchanan, and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. With Leonardo DiCaprio on a road of success with Inception and Titanic, it brings hope to anticipators on this upcoming film’s success in the box office. With Tobey Maguire known for his role as Spiderman and Carrey Mulligen as Kitty Bennet from Pride & Prejudice, the attraction should be more than at its minimum. According to Internet Movie Database, initially for the filming productions, New York was selected as the designated location since the story takes place in “The Roaring Twenties” at “The Big Apple.” This will not be a big issue when looking at accuracy because stage props and computer editing will compensate for the ideal atmosphere. After a few shots in New York, Director Baz Luhrmann decided to have the principal shooting and wrap up the filming at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Many eager movie watchers anticipating the film are either praising or complaining about historical accuracy results, the script being true to the book, the selection of the cast, the director, etc. Will the 2012 film adaption carry out Fitzgerald’s vision? We’ll soon find out.