Baz Luhrmann‘s upcoming adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby is one of the most anticipated projects coming out of Hollywood. The cast is comprised of critically acclaimed A-Lister’s like Leonardo DiCaprio as the illusive Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as narrator Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan as the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.
Initially, fellow Hollywood superstar Ben Affleck to the role of Tom Buchanan in the film. However, due to some scheduling issues involving some of Affleck’s other projects, he dropped out.
With the task of replacing Affleck at hand, The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that filmmakers are considering relative newcomers Joel Edgerton and Luke Evans for the role. Australian actor Edgerton is best known to audiences for his portrayal of Uncle Owen in the Star Wars prequels. He also was cast as Gawain in the 2004 Antoine Fuqua film, King Arthur and had a great turn in Animal Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Evans is a newcomer in the Hollywood scene with his breakout role coming in the 2010 fantasy Clash of the Titans where he was cast as Apollo. Evans is poised for strong notice this summer in the Paul W.S. Anderson retelling of The Three Musketeers where he plays Aramis. Both men have reportedly tested for the role in The Great Gatsby, and with filming slated to begin in August, a final decision should be coming soon.
