Oscar-winning actress, Nicole Kidman is considering taking on the lead actress role in Eucalyptus -- Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush's next feature film which will be shot in Australia where this unusual fairy tale is set.
If the trio is the first time their fans would have the opportunity to see the three Aussies Kidman, Crowe and Rush in the same film together.
It is also the first time Kidman and Crowe, who have been longtime friends, as well as Kidman and Rush, will team up.
The adaptation of Murray Bail's novel (May 1998) by the same name will be directed by fellow Aussie, Jocelyn Moorhouse -- A Thousand Acres (1997) and How to Make an American Quilt (1995).
Bail's book won the 1999 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book.
It was also recognized as a New York Times Notable Book of 1998.
Uberto Pasolini and Lynda House of Gumtree Productions are producing the romantic movie for Fox Searchlight.
The Storyline
The story, set in New South Wales, Australia, is about a twenty-four year-old, Ellen (Kidman, 37) who has been sheltered by her father (Rush), a widower named Holland.
The father decrees that his beautiful daughter can only marry the man who can identify each one of the hundreds of species of eucalyptus trees on his property.
A mysterious story-telling stranger named Roy Cave (Crowe) steps into the picture to prove his love by conquering the challenge.
Cave courts Ellen by giving each tree a story. Eventually, she falls into his spell.
The Cast of Characters
Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, the star of this summer's hit The Village co-starring Adrien Brody and Joaquin Phoenix, was originally cast to play the role of Ellen. Speculation is that the director and Kidman's fellow actors wanted a fellow Aussie to play the lead actress role.
A couple of years ago, there was talk that Howard would take over Kidman's role in Dogville.
The red-headed beauty from Down Under is a perfect choice to be the lead in a film about a tree that at its core is the color of blood.
All three lead actors own an Oscar.
Kidman (6/26/67) won Academy Awards for her work in Moulin Rouge and The Hours. She was the first Australian star to take home a best actress award.
Crow (4/7/64) won an Academy award for his role in Gladiator.
Rush (7/6/51) won an Academy award for his role in Shine.
Expect to see Crowe on June 3rd, 2005 in the upcoming Universal Pictures drama, Cinderella Man, co-starring Renee Zellweger and directed by Ron Howard. This is the true story of the Depression-era fighter Jim Braddock.
In his band, 30 Odd Foot Grunts Crowe found last year Other Ways of Speaking through the release of his latest CD.
Rush's next films, in addition to Eucalyptus, is The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes directed by Stephen Quay and identical brother Timothy, and Candy directed by Neil Armfield.
Production on Eucalyptus was expected to begin this month. The intention was to wrap on filming by the end of the year.
However, Gumtree Productions released a statement last week saying, "We have pushed our start date due to the fact that we have not yet found our leading lady. Russell Crowe has been incredibly supportive for over a year whilst the film has been in development. The producer & director are very much commited to Crowe, and both Crowe & Fox Searchlight have been enormously supportive and continue to be on the project."
Kidman, if she chooses -- and we hope she does -- would be able to join the crew once she finishes filming the Nora Ephron-directed Bewitched co-starring Will Ferrell. She is also currently working on The Interpreter with fellow Academy award-winning actor, Sean Penn. Both films are scheduled for release in 2005.
The creators of Euclyptus plan to release their film in 2006.
Chanel No. 5's Icon
Kidman in Chanel Haute Couture
Meanwhile, earlier this week in Paris, Chanel No. 5 and Nicole Kidman announced that Kidman will lend her face to the world famous perfume.
(See Related Story dated 10/13/03.)
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and pure "Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Oy-Oy-Oy" living!
~jck
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