The Great Gatsby promo posterBaz Luhrmann’s anticipated adaptation of The Great Gatsby was originally set to come out this Christmas, but earlier in the summer, we heard that Warner Bros. had made the decision to push back the release until summer 2013.

The studio has now officially set that release date for 10th May, 2013 in the US and Canada, which is thankfully a little earlier in the summer (given that, technically, May is still spring) than I was expecting. And really, with this film, the sooner the better.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan star as the fantastic leads, supported by the excellent Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton, Jason Clarke, Amitabh Bachchan, and Elizabeth Debicki.

“From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. The filmmaker will create his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role. “The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.”

The utterly beautiful first trailer landed back in May, and the anticipation surrounding the film has been even higher ever since.

The delay came as a bit of a shock, given that it was expected to be a strong contender in the coming awards season, but Warner Bros. said that after seeing a cut of the film, they decided that it was worth holding back until the summer of next year – though delays aren’t always a good thing, the summer is naturally not a dumping ground whatsoever, and I’m personally taking it as a good sign, even if I’d prefer to see the film in a few months’ time.

And though the strongest contenders typically find their releases in the final third of the year, there are always exceptions that prove the rule – Moulin Rouge!, for example, was released at the start of June – and we could well see The Great Gatsby as a contender at the start of 2014.

The Great Gatsby will be released in the US and Canada on 10th May, and according to the press release below, the international release dates will start rolling out a week  later. In the US, it will be going up against Richard Curtis’ About Time, starring Rachel McAdams, and coming a week after Iron Man 3’s release. Here in the UK, if it were to be released on 17th May, it would be going up against Star Trek Into Darkness, which wouldn’t be particularly ideal, so I’m hoping that we’ll be seeing it arrive on 10th May, as well. Time will tell. For now, why not treat yourself to another viewing of the trailer? It’s simply wonderful. And with the new release date announced, hopefully we’ll be treated to a second trailer by Christmas.

 

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “The Great Gatsby” will open early in the Summer 2013 season, hitting theaters on May 10 in the U.S. and Canada, with an international rollout beginning the following week. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Fellman stated, “Audiences have been looking forward to Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of one of the most beloved books of all time, and we felt this beautifully extravagant and dramatic film would be a perfect way for us to kick off our Summer slate.”

Kwan Vandenberg added, “Baz’s unique take on ‘Gatsby’ is glitzy and glamorous, with his juxtaposition of the classic tale and contemporary themes hitting just the right note. This film should really add heat to the competitive Summer season.”

From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. The filmmaker has created his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role.

“The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Academy Award® nominee DiCaprio (“J. Edgar,” “Aviator”) plays Jay Gatsby, with Tobey Maguire starring as Nick Carraway; Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan (“An Education”) and Joel Edgerton as Daisy and Tom Buchanan; Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke as Myrtle and George Wilson; and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker. Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim.

Oscar® nominee Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge!”) directs the film in 3D from a screenplay co-written with frequent collaborator Craig Pearce, based on Fitzgerald’s book. Luhrmann produces, along with Catherine Martin, Academy Award® winner Douglas Wick (“Gladiator”), Lucy Fisher and Catherine Knapman. The executive producers are Academy Award® winner Barrie M. Osborne (“Lord of the Rings – Return of the King”) and Bruce Berman.

Two-time Academy Award®-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin (“Moulin Rouge!”) designs as well as produces. The editors are Matt Villa, Jason Ballantine and Jonathan Redmond, and the director of photography is Simon Duggan. The music is by Craig Armstrong.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with A&E Television, a Bazmark/Red Wagon Entertainment Production, a Film by Baz Luhrmann, “The Great Gatsby.” In theaters May 10, 2013, the film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.