Joel Edgerton: 'The Great Gatsby' Rehearsals Continue, Baz Luhrmann Providing Plenty Of Research

If you're looking to get in touch with Joel Edgerton right now, your best bet may be commissioning a time machine.

The Australian actor is starring as Tom Buchanan in the upcoming big screen adaptation of F. Scott's Fitzgerald classic novel, "The Great Gatsby," and in a conversation on Friday about his new family/MMA drama, "Warrior," he gave The Huffington Post the update on the ambitious, star-studded literary translation.

Directed by fellow Aussie Baz Luhrmann and featuring co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, and Isla Fisher (according to reports) as Myrtle, the film, Edgerton said, is on its way towards production.

"Everything is going to plan. We're deep into pre-production," Edgerton offered. "I leave LA on Monday to go back to Australia to continue the rehearsal process, which started a couple of months ago back in New York. I have this feeling Baz is almost, he goes so far into the world of his movie that I assume Baz no longer even has a cell phone. I'm sure he's talking in to a ye olde world-y phone and riding a horse to work. We'll get back into rehearsals; it's an incredible experience and i'm looking forward to getting started."

The preparation extends to the rest of the cast; Edgerton says that he has received volumes of information to help him prepare to play the millionaire racist socialite.

"I've got research materials on every angle of the movie, from the crime of the era to... books on the Yale football club, because Tom is the star quarterback," he said. "I've been playing polo, we've got reams of music from the era and pictures and all sorts of documentaries and stuff. Baz likes to surround you 360 degrees in the world of the movie."

That being said, the extra preparation work is something Edgerton actually truly appreciates and enjoys, especially the immensity of the undertaking.

"I'm very well aware that I'm involved in an American classic. I promise you I'm gonna do my best job!" he laughed. "If I could have a career where I spend my time working with directors who dont clock in nine-to-five and half care about their projects but fully live and breathe it, I'm very lucky, as well."

Comments

[dre31]

10:17 AM on 08/23/2011

that dude is very handsome so he might fit well for the film

[DJCranky]

10:17 PM on 08/22/2011

Have loved him since Animal Kingdom. Which was great.

[Bryan Young]

06:02 PM on 08/22/2011

Uncle Owen!

[Rubyfoo]

05:51 PM on 08/22/2011

An Australian playing the title role in an iconic novel that epitomizes the American zeitgeist during the 1920s. Sacrilege!

[KirkDiggler]

06:31 PM on 08/22/2011

Edgarton is NOT playing the title role. DiCaprio is.

[Realist Optimist]

05:49 PM on 08/22/2011

next year's biggest film will be the dark knight rises, followed in second by the avengers

[cloudmaker]

05:40 PM on 08/22/2011

The best part of Redford's "The Great Gasby" were the opening credits. As the camera lovingly panned over Jay Gatsby's dresser we heard the brilliant Berlin song, "What'll I Do?" When I rented the VCR about ten years ago. I was very disappointed to find that that the opening was the same, but the song had been omitted. I don't know why and I don't know if it's been reinstated, but it should be. Though I was not a fan of the film, the melancholy song set the mood for the film that followed.

[Chuckwheat]

05:36 PM on 08/22/2011

The picture looks like Bon Jovi.

[cloudmaker]

05:34 PM on 08/22/2011

I hate to point this out, but both Great Gatsys were bores. If Alan Ladd couldn't make us love this mysterious rogue, and Robert Redford only got us to admire his collection of pastel shirts, what makes you think Leonardo, talented as he is, can arouse any passion. You see, while some people adore the book and find it brilliant, most people find it a snooze and couldn't care less about Jay, Daisy, or Tom. But I've been wrong so many times before, it could also be a box office smash. Not.

[PaticaDeGato]

05:32 PM on 08/22/2011

I am looking forward to "Margin Call", about the financial crisis from the perspective of an nvestment bank. But a "Great Gatsby" remake? Meh.

[simplemee]

05:23 PM on 08/22/2011

Who is that guy?

[tangelan]

05:18 PM on 08/22/2011

Another Gatsby movie? Just what we needed.

[GovernorOdius]

04:48 PM on 08/22/2011

Gosh Baz, I can think of so many better ideas to make a movie about that are not retreads.

[whomod]

04:27 PM on 08/22/2011

Next years biggest film?

Um.. if you say so. never mind Batman or The Avengers. Everyone will just cream for Leo DeCaprio and um.. Joel Edgerton (who?)

BTW wasn't the headline on the front page last night for this story about Joel Edgerton time traveling to the 1920's? an then the story said he was playing Tom Baker, the fourth doctor?

[cloudmaker]

05:41 PM on 08/22/2011

Not to mention,that both leading males role are blonds. Not a good idea.

[syds180turn]

04:11 PM on 08/22/2011

The Great Gatsby with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford was quite enough. It was a dreadful movie, though I enjoy period pieces and the works of F. Scot Fitzgerald. But it was definitely about the clothes...how glamorous they looked. But it's obvious that Hollywood has just run completely out of new ideas or they're afraid to take on new projects and subject matter. That's why The Help was so refreshing...we've seen civil rights/segregation movies before, but The Help has strong female leads with depth. As for The Great Gatsby remake with Baz Luhrmann at the helm...not a fan of his movies. They just seem to be far too over the top and grandiose. Very little dialogue that makes sense.

[Craig 212]

03:54 PM on 08/22/2011

Is it just me or does that guy look like a more attractive Conan O'Brien?

[syds180turn]

04:04 PM on 08/22/2011

You're right....so no, it's not just you.