<em>The Great Gatsby</em>: Carey Mulligan Channeled the Kardashians

Julie Miller

Left, by Matt Hart/© 2013 Bazmark Film III Pty Limited; right, courtesy of Getty Images

This afternoon, we receive somewhat haunting news about Carey Mulligan's preparation to play Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming adaptation of The Great Gatsby. The actress apparently drew inspiration from the world's preeminent sex-tape opportunist and her reality-show-starring family in her portrayal of the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald character. Mulligan attempts to explain Daisy's similarity to the sisters in a new Harper's Bazaar profile:

"The Kardashians are sort of a reference in that Daisy's purpose in life is--she feels her purpose is to look very beautiful all the time and to constantly be on show," she said. "So what I was trying to imply was that there's an essence of part of the amazing business they run as the Kardashians is looking beautiful a lot and looking very present, presentational and perfect."

In light of that explanation, we are willing to concede that Mulligan has a point, although we'd prefer that the Kardashians aren't used as inspiration for anything but villains in adaptations of Great American Novels from here on.

Fortunately, observing the Kardashians was not the only research that Mulligan conducted for the role. Luhrmann gave the 27-year-old actress "about seven biographies" of Zelda Fitzgerald--the novelist's wife, on whom Daisy Buchanan is believed to be based--for reference. She also read through love letters from Fitzgerald's muse, Ginevra King. In a previous interview, the English actress revealed that she had not read The Great Gatsby until the days immediately before her audition.

More from Vanity Fair:

Two Decades of Brad Pitt

International Best-Dressed List

Classic Nude Portraits: Lady Gaga, Angeline Jolie, Jennifer Aniston

Kate Middleton: Best-Dressed Pregnant Lady?

The Great Gatsby: Behind the Scenes

Kissing Celebs: Candid Moments from 2013