Faraway Downs is a history drama miniseries created by Baz Luhrmann. The Hulu miniseries revolves around an English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley, who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and also to sell a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs.’ But when her husband dies a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney tries to take the ranch illegally, to protect her property she joins hands with a cattle drover. Faraway Downs stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brandon Walters, and Bryan Brown in the lead roles. So, if you loved the Hulu series here are some similar shows you could watch next.
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- 11/27/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
15 years ago, an epic romance arrived in movie theaters over the Thanksgiving holiday to a storm of snobbery from critics. No, not Twilight, but Baz Luhrmann’s ode to his down under home, Australia. On this somewhat unceremonious anniversary, he has transformed it into a Hulu limited series, retitled Faraway Downs.
His follow-up to his divisive Best Picture nominee Moulin Rouge!, Luhrmann’s film casts Nicole Kidman as haughty British Lady Sarah who travels to her husband’s Australian cattle ranch at the brink of WWII. There she finds her husband murdered, begins to care for a biracial Aboriginal boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters), and begins to fall for an enigmatic cattleman known enigmatically as The Drover and played by Hugh Jackman at his most beefcake— yes, even by Wolverine standards.
His follow-up to his divisive Best Picture nominee Moulin Rouge!, Luhrmann’s film casts Nicole Kidman as haughty British Lady Sarah who travels to her husband’s Australian cattle ranch at the brink of WWII. There she finds her husband murdered, begins to care for a biracial Aboriginal boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters), and begins to fall for an enigmatic cattleman known enigmatically as The Drover and played by Hugh Jackman at his most beefcake— yes, even by Wolverine standards.
- 11/27/2023
- by Chris Feil
- Primetimer
At the beginning of Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs, 12-year-old Aboriginal boy Nullah (Brandon Walters) recounts the abiding lesson his grandfather taught him growing up in the wilderness of the Northern Territory of Australia: “Tell ‘em story.” Over the course of the six-part series, a reimagining of Luhrmann’s 2008 film Australia, story will emerge as one of the four cornerstones of Aboriginal identity, the others being country, song, and dreaming.
Luhrmann uses footage from the film, scenes that were lost to the cutting-room floor, and a modern soundtrack by Indigenous artists to expand the story and give it new depth. The narrative arc of the series, though, remains largely identical to that of Australia: When an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), travels to Australia to convince her husband to sell the titular ranch, she comes into the orbit of a cattle drover named Drover (Hugh Jackman), and after embarking on a journey together,...
Luhrmann uses footage from the film, scenes that were lost to the cutting-room floor, and a modern soundtrack by Indigenous artists to expand the story and give it new depth. The narrative arc of the series, though, remains largely identical to that of Australia: When an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), travels to Australia to convince her husband to sell the titular ranch, she comes into the orbit of a cattle drover named Drover (Hugh Jackman), and after embarking on a journey together,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Amelia Stout
- Slant Magazine
More Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman? Crikey, yes! The Aussie stars get an expanded turn as passionate lovers in lauded film director Baz Luhrmann’s reimagining of his 2008 WW2-era epic Australia. The Oscar-nominated director added about an hour of footage from the original shoot to make six compelling chapters of Faraway Downs that drop simultaneously on Hulu November 26. The tale is told by a mixed-race Aboriginal boy, Nullah (Brandon Walters) who lives at the remote Faraway Downs cattle station. His life changes with the visit of proper British Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman). She’s compelled by an unexpected tragedy to stay on and help the rugged Drover (Jackman), known only by his job title, herd the livestock to sell in Darwin. Cue adventures galore. Below, Luhrmann answers our questions about the scenes he was happiest to see rescued from the cutting room floor, Kidman and Jackman’s chemistry, the importance of Nullah’s character,...
- 11/24/2023
- TV Insider
Plot: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley, who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney, plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah, a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and the unavoidable impact of World War II on Northern Australia.
Review: Baz Luhrmann’s films have always defied filmmaking norms. From Romeo + Juliet to Elvis, Moulin Rouge to The Great Gatsby,...
Review: Baz Luhrmann’s films have always defied filmmaking norms. From Romeo + Juliet to Elvis, Moulin Rouge to The Great Gatsby,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Baz Luhrmann is not the type of filmmaker to repeat himself.
From “Romeo + Juliet” to “Moulin Rouge!” to “Elvis,” his films are each uniquely specific, traversing fresh genre territory in the way that only Baz Luhrmann can. Which is why it’s no surprise that “Faraway Downs,” a newly edited version of Luhrmann’s 2008 film “Australia” that includes nearly an hour of new footage, is anything but a retread.
In fact, Luhrmann was thinking about expanding his melodramatic epic starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman back when the film was being made.
“I think in the back of my mind I thought, ‘Well maybe one day I’ll release it in two parts with an interval,’ because I used to love those epics like ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’” Luhrmann told TheWrap for our “Faraway Downs” digital cover story presented by Hulu.
It’s also not lost on Luhrmann that between...
From “Romeo + Juliet” to “Moulin Rouge!” to “Elvis,” his films are each uniquely specific, traversing fresh genre territory in the way that only Baz Luhrmann can. Which is why it’s no surprise that “Faraway Downs,” a newly edited version of Luhrmann’s 2008 film “Australia” that includes nearly an hour of new footage, is anything but a retread.
In fact, Luhrmann was thinking about expanding his melodramatic epic starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman back when the film was being made.
“I think in the back of my mind I thought, ‘Well maybe one day I’ll release it in two parts with an interval,’ because I used to love those epics like ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’” Luhrmann told TheWrap for our “Faraway Downs” digital cover story presented by Hulu.
It’s also not lost on Luhrmann that between...
- 11/20/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Before Baz Luhrmann took award season by storm with "Elvis," he made "Australia." If you've forgotten about the 2008 epic starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, you're not alone; the movie wasn't exactly embraced upon release, and while it made plenty of money at the box office, it also became a bit of a punchline among critics that year. As Stephanie Zacharek wrote in a review for Salon, "The second half of 'Australia,' Luhrmann's attempt to pull off a wartime weeper, is so aggressively sentimental that it begins to feel more like punishment than pleasure."
So what does "Australia" have to do with "Faraway Downs"? Well, everything. The upcoming six-episode limited series set to drop on streaming next month has been branded as a reimagining of Luhrmann's movie -- a second stab at his Australian "Gone With The Wind." It's an unusual choice from an always-interesting filmmaker, and we'll know...
So what does "Australia" have to do with "Faraway Downs"? Well, everything. The upcoming six-episode limited series set to drop on streaming next month has been branded as a reimagining of Luhrmann's movie -- a second stab at his Australian "Gone With The Wind." It's an unusual choice from an always-interesting filmmaker, and we'll know...
- 10/24/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Hulu has revealed the trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s “Faraway Downs” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. “Faraway Downs” will premiere on Hulu on November 26, 2023.
About the film:
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover,...
About the film:
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
National Geographic has set a date for its next brush with genius. The first two episodes of Genius: MLK/X will air Feb. 1, 2024 on Nat Geo, available to stream next-day on Disney+ and Hulu. Two episodes will roll out as such each week.
Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Godfather of Harlem) as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) as Malcolm X, the eight-episode season “will focus on two iconic geniuses … and how their dueling philosophies helped usher America through the Civil Rights Movement.”
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Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Godfather of Harlem) as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) as Malcolm X, the eight-episode season “will focus on two iconic geniuses … and how their dueling philosophies helped usher America through the Civil Rights Movement.”
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- 10/19/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) revisits his Australia feature film and transforms the nearly three-hour epic into the six-episode series Faraway Downs. The limited series will include an hour of footage that didn’t make the film’s final cut, as well as a different ending.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than Australia, but a different variation on the themes,” explained Luhrmann in an interview with TheWrap. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling to breathe those things out and explore them in a stronger way.”
The feature film, and now the Hulu limited series it spawned, stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, and Ben Mendelsohn. 2008’s Australia, which currently sits at 54% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,...
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than Australia, but a different variation on the themes,” explained Luhrmann in an interview with TheWrap. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling to breathe those things out and explore them in a stronger way.”
The feature film, and now the Hulu limited series it spawned, stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, and Ben Mendelsohn. 2008’s Australia, which currently sits at 54% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
"The only thing you really own is your story... just trying to live a good one." Surprise!! After the success of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis last year, they're revisiting one of his least successful films. Hulu revealed an official trailer for the mini-series Faraway Downs, which is a re-edit of Luhrmann's 2008 movie Australia. We actually covered this movie extensively back in 2008 when it was first released, including with editorials and more. "An iconic duo, to say the least." Faraway Downs is the reimagining of the film Australia told in six parts about an English aristocrat & a rough-hewn cattle drover who join forces to protect the million-acre cattle ranch of her late husband. Although Hulu describes Australia as a "cinematic masterpiece", it didn't do as well as they hoped; now it seems it will play better as a series. Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman co-star, with Brandon Walters, David Wenham, Bryan Brown,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Hulu’s Faraway Downs might be the most unusual limited series of 2023 — in that it has its roots in a film from 2008.
Director Baz Luhrmann (Elvis, Moulin Rouge!) reimagined and expanded his film Australia into the six-episode series, which is set to premiere Nov. 26 on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ and Star+ internationally. Hulu on Thursday released a trailer for the series (watch it below).
“While Australia the film has its own life, there was another telling of this story; one with different layers, nuances and even alternative plot twists that an episodic format has allowed us to explore,” Luhrmann said when the project was announced in June 2022. “Drawn from the same material, Faraway Downs is a new variation on Australia for audiences to discover.”
The series will follow the same basic story as Australia: that of Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who inherits a large cattle ranch...
Director Baz Luhrmann (Elvis, Moulin Rouge!) reimagined and expanded his film Australia into the six-episode series, which is set to premiere Nov. 26 on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ and Star+ internationally. Hulu on Thursday released a trailer for the series (watch it below).
“While Australia the film has its own life, there was another telling of this story; one with different layers, nuances and even alternative plot twists that an episodic format has allowed us to explore,” Luhrmann said when the project was announced in June 2022. “Drawn from the same material, Faraway Downs is a new variation on Australia for audiences to discover.”
The series will follow the same basic story as Australia: that of Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who inherits a large cattle ranch...
- 10/19/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman‘s Faraway Downs has its first trailer!
If you don’t know, it’s a 6-chapter reimagining of the 2008 film Australia! The original film (and this series) are directed by Baz Luhrmann and starred Nicole and Hugh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the synopsis: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
If you don’t know, it’s a 6-chapter reimagining of the 2008 film Australia! The original film (and this series) are directed by Baz Luhrmann and starred Nicole and Hugh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the synopsis: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
- 10/19/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The first trailer for “Faraway Downs” has arrived, but maybe it has been here since 2008.
The six-part limited series, which debuts on Hulu next month, reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic “Australia” with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman with added footage and an entirely different ending.
In an interview with TheWrap, Luhrmann explained that he decided to take another look at “Australia” – which received mixed and negative reviews from critics and grossed just over $210 million at the worldwide box office – while production was shut down on “Elvis” during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than ‘Australia,’ but a different variation on the themes,” he explained. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling...
The six-part limited series, which debuts on Hulu next month, reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic “Australia” with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman with added footage and an entirely different ending.
In an interview with TheWrap, Luhrmann explained that he decided to take another look at “Australia” – which received mixed and negative reviews from critics and grossed just over $210 million at the worldwide box office – while production was shut down on “Elvis” during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than ‘Australia,’ but a different variation on the themes,” he explained. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling...
- 10/19/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Baz Luhrmann is returning to the Outback (and the cutting room floor) for limited series “Faraway Downs.”
The auteur recut 2008 epic “Australia” into a six-part Hulu limited series. The show follows an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) and a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who join forces to protect the million-acre cattle ranch of her late husband.
The official synopsis reads: Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a biracial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
The auteur recut 2008 epic “Australia” into a six-part Hulu limited series. The show follows an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) and a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who join forces to protect the million-acre cattle ranch of her late husband.
The official synopsis reads: Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a biracial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
- 10/19/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Hulu has unveiled the official trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs TV series starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, ahead of its November 26 launch.
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.”
Luhrmann also directed Oscar-nominated 2008 movie Australia and he returns for the Hulu series, which debuts in two...
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.”
Luhrmann also directed Oscar-nominated 2008 movie Australia and he returns for the Hulu series, which debuts in two...
- 10/19/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs, a reimagined extended version of the filmmaker’s 2008 film Australia, has just gotten its first trailer. The six part re-imagining of his epic is heading to Hulu in the United States, Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other territories on November 26, 2023.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia to create Faraway Downs because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” said Baz Luhrmann. “With over 2 million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere Faraway Downs in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognizes the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling.”
“We are so happy to be sharing the creative...
“I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia to create Faraway Downs because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” said Baz Luhrmann. “With over 2 million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere Faraway Downs in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognizes the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling.”
“We are so happy to be sharing the creative...
- 10/19/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Released in the fall of 2008, just a few months after this very site was born, Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, ended up doing decently with a worldwide gross of $211 million on its $130 million budget, though it’s safe to say with its disappointing reception both in the U.S. and with critics at large, it hasn’t been fondly revisited. However, the director wasn’t done telling the full story of the mid-20th century tale as he’s expanded it into a six-part Hulu series arriving this November. Ahead of the release, the first trailer has now arrived.
“It was when Elvis shut down due to Covid,” the director tells The Wrap when it comes to the formation of the project. “I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling...
“It was when Elvis shut down due to Covid,” the director tells The Wrap when it comes to the formation of the project. “I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling...
- 10/19/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The first trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s “Faraway Downs” has arrived — watch it at the top of the page right now.
Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, Ben Mendelsohn, the six-part miniseries is a reworking of Luhrmann’s 2008 film “Australia.” Recut by Luhrmann to produce what he calls a “richer telling,” it premieres Nov. 26 on Hulu.
Like “Australia,” the series centers on English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels across the globe to “confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs.” When her husband passes away, Lady Sarah teams up with a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch from the gaze of a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown).
Those used to Luhrmann’s frenetic directing style might be surprised by the trailer’s more deliberate pacing, emphasizing the...
Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, Ben Mendelsohn, the six-part miniseries is a reworking of Luhrmann’s 2008 film “Australia.” Recut by Luhrmann to produce what he calls a “richer telling,” it premieres Nov. 26 on Hulu.
Like “Australia,” the series centers on English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels across the globe to “confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs.” When her husband passes away, Lady Sarah teams up with a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch from the gaze of a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown).
Those used to Luhrmann’s frenetic directing style might be surprised by the trailer’s more deliberate pacing, emphasizing the...
- 10/19/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann is no stranger to epic storytelling. From “Romeo + Juliet” to “Moulin Rouge!” to “The Great Gatsby,” his films are full of bombast, bold storytelling and big characters. But even for Luhrmann, a feature film felt like too small a box for a story as epic as “Australia,” his 2008 film about a cattle rancher, an English aristocrat and an Indigenous child in World War II-era Australia.
Which is why the Oscar-nominated filmmaker has re-edited his melodrama into a story told across six chapters for Hulu, incorporating nearly an hour of new footage and a completely different ending into a new work called “Faraway Downs.”
This retelling of “Australia” still follows the story of an English aristocrat named Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who travels to the Australian outback with the intention of selling her husband’s cattle ranch. A series of unfortunate events ensue, and Ashley’s...
Which is why the Oscar-nominated filmmaker has re-edited his melodrama into a story told across six chapters for Hulu, incorporating nearly an hour of new footage and a completely different ending into a new work called “Faraway Downs.”
This retelling of “Australia” still follows the story of an English aristocrat named Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who travels to the Australian outback with the intention of selling her husband’s cattle ranch. A series of unfortunate events ensue, and Ashley’s...
- 10/18/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Baz Luhrmann has expanded 'Australia' into a six-part TV series TV series using footage rescued from the cutting room floor.The director's World War 2 romance starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was released in 2008, and now Baz has brought the film back to life 15 years later by turning it into a TV series called 'Faraway Downs' which has been expanded from the film's original 165 minute run-time.Luhrmann said of the project: "I was inspired to re-approach my film 'Australia' to create 'Faraway Downs' because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world."With over 2m feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work."He will debut 'Faraway Downs' at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen festival later this month and the director says he's honoured to be able to showcase the project Down Under.
- 10/13/2023
- by Louise Mary Randell
- Bang Showbiz
Baz Luhrmann is looking at the benefits of streaming content.
The “Elvis” director recut his 2008 epic “Australia” for a Hulu limited series titled “Faraway Downs.” The film followed an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). The limited series will have a new ending and a new soundtrack; “Australia” originally shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a press statement. “With over two million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work.”
Six-episode limited series “Faraway Downs” will premiere at the closing night of the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival October 21, with Luhrmann in attendance.
The “Elvis” director recut his 2008 epic “Australia” for a Hulu limited series titled “Faraway Downs.” The film followed an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). The limited series will have a new ending and a new soundtrack; “Australia” originally shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a press statement. “With over two million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work.”
Six-episode limited series “Faraway Downs” will premiere at the closing night of the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival October 21, with Luhrmann in attendance.
- 10/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Baz Luhrmann is set to world premiere his upcoming miniseries “Faraway Downs” on the closing night of the upcoming SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, closing the loop on a filmmaking journey that began nearly 20 years ago. “Faraway Downs” is the expanded TV version of the director’s 2008 theatrical release “Australia,” an epic romance starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman that flopped at the domestic box office with a gross of less than $50 million.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a statement announcing the film’s premiere. “With over two million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere ‘Faraway Downs’ in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life,...
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a statement announcing the film’s premiere. “With over two million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere ‘Faraway Downs’ in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life,...
- 10/9/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 feature “Australia” is coming back this year in a new format and with a new title.
Luhrmann has re-edited “Australia” into a six-episode limited series called “Faraway Downs.” The project will debut at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on October 21 before arriving on Hulu and Disney+ starting on November 26.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “With over 2 million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere ‘Faraway Downs’ in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognizes the intersection of film, television, and music with storytelling.”
“Australia” and...
Luhrmann has re-edited “Australia” into a six-episode limited series called “Faraway Downs.” The project will debut at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on October 21 before arriving on Hulu and Disney+ starting on November 26.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film ‘Australia’ to create ‘Faraway Downs’ because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “With over 2 million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work. I am honored to world premiere ‘Faraway Downs’ in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognizes the intersection of film, television, and music with storytelling.”
“Australia” and...
- 10/9/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs, a six part series that extends his 2008 epic Australia, will close the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on Oct. 21 with a world premiere.
The Elvis filmmaker will be on hand to present the limited series told in six chapters and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters and Ben Mendelsohn. The SXSW festival bow will be followed by Faraway Downs launching simultaneously on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ in all other territories on Nov. 26, 2023.
Faraway Downs, with 20th Television as the studio, will expand on Australia, which starred Kidman and Jackman, using original footage and a new ending and updated soundtrack. When Australia first premiered in 2008, Luhrmann said he had filmed three endings. The theatrical cut of Australia has a running time of two hours, 45 minutes. There’s no word on how long the full six-episode series will run.
The Elvis filmmaker will be on hand to present the limited series told in six chapters and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters and Ben Mendelsohn. The SXSW festival bow will be followed by Faraway Downs launching simultaneously on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ in all other territories on Nov. 26, 2023.
Faraway Downs, with 20th Television as the studio, will expand on Australia, which starred Kidman and Jackman, using original footage and a new ending and updated soundtrack. When Australia first premiered in 2008, Luhrmann said he had filmed three endings. The theatrical cut of Australia has a running time of two hours, 45 minutes. There’s no word on how long the full six-episode series will run.
- 10/9/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First Quentin Tarantino adapted “The Hateful Eight” into a Netflix “miniseries.” Now, Baz Luhrmann is revisiting his 2008 sprawling period piece “Australia” with an upcoming recut limited series for Hulu.
The film, which starred Nicole Kidman as an English aristocrat who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman), is being reimagined as a six-episode miniseries titled “Faraway Downs.” The Hulu project will entirely use recut footage from Luhrmann’s original film, with a new ending and updated soundtrack. Luhrmann previously said “Australia” had shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release. “Faraway Downs” is set to premiere this winter on Hulu, with streaming rights on Disney+ and Starz+ internationally.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping, ‘Gone With the Wind’-style epic and turn it on its head — a way of using romance and epic drama to shine a...
The film, which starred Nicole Kidman as an English aristocrat who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman), is being reimagined as a six-episode miniseries titled “Faraway Downs.” The Hulu project will entirely use recut footage from Luhrmann’s original film, with a new ending and updated soundtrack. Luhrmann previously said “Australia” had shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release. “Faraway Downs” is set to premiere this winter on Hulu, with streaming rights on Disney+ and Starz+ internationally.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping, ‘Gone With the Wind’-style epic and turn it on its head — a way of using romance and epic drama to shine a...
- 6/28/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Fresh off the success of “Elvis,” Baz Luhrmann announced today that he will reimagine his 2008 film “Australia” into a six-part Hulu series called “Faraway Downs.”
The extended cut, which will debut in winter of this year, will feature new footage from the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. It will also include a new ending and updated soundtrack.
“Faraway Downs” takes its title from the Australian cattle ranch that Kidman’s Lady Sarah Ashley inherits after the death of her husband in the film. After cattle barons devise a plan to steal her land, she hires a rugged cattle drover (Jackman) for protection. The romantic adventure film is set during World War II and told through the perspective of a bi-racial indigenous child named Nullah (Brandon Walters), a victim of the government’s family separation policy now known as the “Stolen Generations.”
Also Read:
‘Elvis’ Director Baz Luhrmann...
The extended cut, which will debut in winter of this year, will feature new footage from the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. It will also include a new ending and updated soundtrack.
“Faraway Downs” takes its title from the Australian cattle ranch that Kidman’s Lady Sarah Ashley inherits after the death of her husband in the film. After cattle barons devise a plan to steal her land, she hires a rugged cattle drover (Jackman) for protection. The romantic adventure film is set during World War II and told through the perspective of a bi-racial indigenous child named Nullah (Brandon Walters), a victim of the government’s family separation policy now known as the “Stolen Generations.”
Also Read:
‘Elvis’ Director Baz Luhrmann...
- 6/28/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic Australia is getting a second life — as a limited series.
The Elvis filmmaker will expand and reimagine the film as Faraway Downs, a six-part series that will run on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ and Star+ internationally. The project will be assembled entirely from footage Luhrmann shot for Australia, with a new ending and updated soundtrack. It’s slated to premiere in the winter. (At the time of Australia’s release, Luhrmann said he had filmed three endings.)
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping, Gone With the Wind-style epic and turn it on its head — a way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations,’” said Luhrmann in a statement. “While...
Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic Australia is getting a second life — as a limited series.
The Elvis filmmaker will expand and reimagine the film as Faraway Downs, a six-part series that will run on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ and Star+ internationally. The project will be assembled entirely from footage Luhrmann shot for Australia, with a new ending and updated soundtrack. It’s slated to premiere in the winter. (At the time of Australia’s release, Luhrmann said he had filmed three endings.)
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping, Gone With the Wind-style epic and turn it on its head — a way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations,’” said Luhrmann in a statement. “While...
- 6/28/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An expanded and reimagined cut of Baz Luhrmann’s Australia is set to premiere on Disney streaming platforms as a six-part limited series.
Titled Faraway Downs, the six-episode installment will be comprised of footage that was captured for the 2008 film, along with an expanded, serialized version of the story with a new ending and updated soundtrack. The limited series will be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S., a Star Original on Disney+ and on Star+ in international markets this winter.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping Gone With the Wind style epic and turn it on its head,” said Luhrmann. “A way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations.’ While Australia the film has its own life, there was another...
Titled Faraway Downs, the six-episode installment will be comprised of footage that was captured for the 2008 film, along with an expanded, serialized version of the story with a new ending and updated soundtrack. The limited series will be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S., a Star Original on Disney+ and on Star+ in international markets this winter.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping Gone With the Wind style epic and turn it on its head,” said Luhrmann. “A way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations.’ While Australia the film has its own life, there was another...
- 6/28/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” is about to get the Snyder Cut treatment.
The 2008 epic love letter to his native country was a box office dud when it hit theaters over a decade ago and critics were mostly “meh” on the whole thing. But its reputation has grown over the years, helped by frequent showings on cable, streaming and the like, and it sounds as though the director wasn’t done tinkering with a movie that, charitably, was a whole lot better than people gave it credit for at the time.
Now, word comes from down under that “Australia” will be reimagined as a six-part limited series titled “Faraway Downs” to be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S. and a Star Original on Disney+ and Star+ in international markets. That means every sweeping shot of Australia’s rugged outbreak, every penetrating look of barely suppressed romantic longing...
The 2008 epic love letter to his native country was a box office dud when it hit theaters over a decade ago and critics were mostly “meh” on the whole thing. But its reputation has grown over the years, helped by frequent showings on cable, streaming and the like, and it sounds as though the director wasn’t done tinkering with a movie that, charitably, was a whole lot better than people gave it credit for at the time.
Now, word comes from down under that “Australia” will be reimagined as a six-part limited series titled “Faraway Downs” to be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S. and a Star Original on Disney+ and Star+ in international markets. That means every sweeping shot of Australia’s rugged outbreak, every penetrating look of barely suppressed romantic longing...
- 6/28/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Principal photography has begun on Bushwacked!, a new children’s show for the ABC3 and Nitv by North One TV Australia in the Tasmanian bush.
Hosted by Kayne Tremills and Brandon Walters, child actor in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, the 13×26 minute series is shooting across Tasmania as well as tropical Queensland, the Nt, Nsw Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and urban Victoria.
Bushwacked! weaves Indigenous rites and rituals and aspects of native wildlife into action and stunts as Walters sets up Kayne to tackle challenges against wildlife.
The series will be distributed internationally by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
Bernadette O’Mahony Executive Producer, The Australian Children’s Television Foundation: said: “The Actf has been pleased to be involved in the development of Bushwhacked with North One and ABC over 2011, and it’s great to see local factual and documentary projects being made specifically for Australian children. We look...
Hosted by Kayne Tremills and Brandon Walters, child actor in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, the 13×26 minute series is shooting across Tasmania as well as tropical Queensland, the Nt, Nsw Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and urban Victoria.
Bushwacked! weaves Indigenous rites and rituals and aspects of native wildlife into action and stunts as Walters sets up Kayne to tackle challenges against wildlife.
The series will be distributed internationally by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
Bernadette O’Mahony Executive Producer, The Australian Children’s Television Foundation: said: “The Actf has been pleased to be involved in the development of Bushwhacked with North One and ABC over 2011, and it’s great to see local factual and documentary projects being made specifically for Australian children. We look...
- 1/11/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Former child actor Brandon Walters and ABC3.s children's host Kayne Tremills have begun filming action-adventure TV series Bushwhacked! in Tasmania. The series, which.aims to intertwine the exploration of Australian landscapes and wildlife with education about Aboriginal culture, will also be filmed in Queensland, the Northern Territory's Red Centre, rural and northern New South Wales, Tasmania.s Eyre Peninsula coastline, and urban Victoria. Walters will set several challenges for co-host Tremills in the.13-part series, from tagging a tiger snake to swimming with great whites..However, the series will also explore elements of bush survival and Aboriginal culture as Walters introduces Tremills to Aboriginal rights and rituals, as well as bushmen,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Fay Al-Janabi
- IF.com.au
Former child actor Brandon Walters and ABC3.s children's host Kayne Tremills have begun filming action-adventure TV series Bushwhacked! in Tasmania. The series, which.aims to intertwine the exploration of Australian landscapes and wildlife with education about Aboriginal culture, will also be filmed in Queensland, the Northern Territory's Red Centre, rural and northern New South Wales, Tasmania.s Eyre Peninsula coastline, and urban Victoria. Walters will set several challenges for co-host Tremills in the.13-part series, from tagging a tiger snake to swimming with great whites..However, the series will also explore elements of bush survival and Aboriginal culture as Walters introduces Tremills to Aboriginal rights and rituals, as well as bushmen,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Fay Al-Janabi
- IF.com.au
Former child actor Brandon Walters and ABC3.s children's host Kayne Tremills have begun filming action-adventure TV series Bushwhacked! in Tasmania. The series, which.aims to intertwine the exploration of Australian landscapes and wildlife with education about Aboriginal culture, will also be filmed in Queensland, the Northern Territory's Red Centre, rural and northern New South Wales, Tasmania.s Eyre Peninsula coastline, and urban Victoria. Walters will set several challenges for co-host Tremills in the.13-part series, from tagging a tiger snake to swimming with great whites..However, the series will also explore elements of bush survival and Aboriginal culture as Walters introduces Tremills to Aboriginal rights and rituals, as well as bushmen,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Fay Al-Janabi
- IF.com.au
On this very day in 1939, Australia's Northern Standard incorrectly assumed that The Lady Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and her Drover (Hugh Jackman) had both perished in the Kuraman Desert!
Newspapers. They've always had it rough; The second you publish something it's ancient history.
Just as soon as this news was making the rounds the lady and her cattle driving man, rode into town in a cloud of triumphant dust and defeated their main rival. They won! Celebratoryparties, long delayed lovemaking and a return to the now thriving Faraway Downs followed. After a short orgiastic montage of Australia's natural beauty (the country's and the movie's), the epic movie ends with a speech by the young narrator Nullah (Brandon Walters)
Just like Drover say 'that rain make everything come alive.' The land it grow green and fat and we all go back to Faraway Downs. Mrs Boss happy. Drover Happy.
I hear...
Newspapers. They've always had it rough; The second you publish something it's ancient history.
Just as soon as this news was making the rounds the lady and her cattle driving man, rode into town in a cloud of triumphant dust and defeated their main rival. They won! Celebratoryparties, long delayed lovemaking and a return to the now thriving Faraway Downs followed. After a short orgiastic montage of Australia's natural beauty (the country's and the movie's), the epic movie ends with a speech by the young narrator Nullah (Brandon Walters)
Just like Drover say 'that rain make everything come alive.' The land it grow green and fat and we all go back to Faraway Downs. Mrs Boss happy. Drover Happy.
I hear...
- 10/30/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
One thing I love about ITVFest—which is still in full swing here in Los Angeles—is meeting new indie creators. At the Tubefilter / ITVFest Web TV Day After Party last night one such creator was Brandon Walters of Mother Approved Comedy. He carried some snappy postcards for his festival entry Phobias, a short comedy series screening as part of the festival’s Mobisodes track on Wednesday. In minute-long sketches, the indie series explores actual phobias, those little quirks of the human condition that when observed in multiple cases, no matter how bizarre, get their own pseudo-scientific name. In fact there’s even a site dedicated to listing all of the known phobias (current count over 500). Take Arachibutyrophobia, for example. Apparently there is a documented fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Really? Each episode is set up for guessing the phobia by the viewer, much...
- 8/3/2010
- by Marc Hustvedt
- Tubefilter.com
Not content with just making films and directing Opera, Baz Luhrmann is now collaborating with Australia's People's Choice Artist Vincent Fantauzzo (famous for his painting of Brandon Walters for the Archibald Prize) on an art installation at the Le Sutra Hotel in Mumbai, India. In case you're in the neighbourhood, Baz and Vincent will put on a live art display on January 27, 2010, 3 - 7pm at the Le Sutra Hotel in Union Park, Bandra, an exclusive suburb of Mumbai. In a fusion of contemporary and Indian dance, the daring duo will take to the skies to paint on the walls of Le Sutra, ‘fluid, free with rhythmic motion, theatrical and arty, so evocative of their professional styles; in a confluence of east meets west,' reads the press release.
- 1/25/2010
- FilmInk.com.au
"Australia" -- the second-highest-grossing homegrown film in Oz history after "Crocodile Dundee" -- failed to land a best picture nod at the AFI Awards. This snub is even more pronounced given that the Australian Film Institute expanded the category to six films from the usual four. "Australia" stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman were also left off the list of nominations as was helmer Baz Luhrmann. However, Brandon Walters did land a supporting actor nod as well as a bid for best young actor. In that latter category, he faces off against, among others, Marissa Gibson and Rowan McNamara, the leads of best pic contender "Samson and Delilah." That love story about two Aboriginal teenagers...
- 10/30/2009
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia has been nominated for six Australian Film Institute awards - but stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman have been passed over for the country's most prestigious ceremony.
The $130 million (£81 million) blockbuster, the most expensive film ever made Down Under, was expected to lead the pack at the upcoming awards show, but missed out on nominations in the main categories - including the coveted AFI Best Film prize.
Both Kidman and Jackman were also noticeably absent from the best actor/actress lists.
Luhrmann's romance was nominated for the New Member's Choice Award, Best Sound, Original Music Score, Production Design, Costume Design and Best Supporting Actor for young star Brandon Walters.
Australia was outdone by director Robert Connolly's Balibo, which earned 14 nominations, and Samson and Delilah, which scooped 13.
Both will compete in the Best Film category against Beautiful Kate, Blessed, Mao's Last Dancer and Mary and Max.
Russell Crowe is in the running for the AFI International Award for Best Actor for his role in State of Play, alongside Martin Henderson of TV hit House, Anthony Lapaglia from Without A Trace and Guy Pearce for Bedtime Stories.
The $130 million (£81 million) blockbuster, the most expensive film ever made Down Under, was expected to lead the pack at the upcoming awards show, but missed out on nominations in the main categories - including the coveted AFI Best Film prize.
Both Kidman and Jackman were also noticeably absent from the best actor/actress lists.
Luhrmann's romance was nominated for the New Member's Choice Award, Best Sound, Original Music Score, Production Design, Costume Design and Best Supporting Actor for young star Brandon Walters.
Australia was outdone by director Robert Connolly's Balibo, which earned 14 nominations, and Samson and Delilah, which scooped 13.
Both will compete in the Best Film category against Beautiful Kate, Blessed, Mao's Last Dancer and Mary and Max.
Russell Crowe is in the running for the AFI International Award for Best Actor for his role in State of Play, alongside Martin Henderson of TV hit House, Anthony Lapaglia from Without A Trace and Guy Pearce for Bedtime Stories.
- 10/29/2009
- WENN
Gus Van Sant's Sean Penn-starring movie Milk and Brad Pitt's new film The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button will lead the way at the 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards - after landing eight nominations each.
The two movies will go head-to-head in The Best Picture category; their stars will fight for the Best Actor awards; and directors Van Sant and David Fincher will battle over the Best Director prize when the awards are handed out by the Broadcast Film Critics Association on 8 January.
Christopher Nolan's 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight had to settle for six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director; as did Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire and new release, Doubt.
The main nominees - announced in New York on Tuesday (9Dec08) by actress Rosie Perez - are as follows:
Best Picture:
Changeling
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Wall-e
The Wrestler
Best Actor:
Sean Penn
Brad Pitt
Clint Eastwood
Richard Jenkins
Frank Langella
Mickey Rourke
Best Actress:
Kate Beckinsale
Cate Blanchett
Angelina Jolie
Meryl Streep
Anne Hathaway
Melissa Leo
Best Supporting Actor:
James Franco
Josh Brolin
Heath Ledger
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Robert Downey Jr.
Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz
Vera Farmiga
Taraji P. Henson
Marisa Tomei
Kate Winslet
Best Director:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
Ron Howard for Frost Nixon
Gus Van Sant for Milk
Best Acting Ensemble:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
Rachel Getting Married
Best Animated Feature:
Bolt
Wall-e
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Waltz With Bashir
Best Young Actor and Actress:
Dakota Fanning for The Secret Life of Bees
David Kross for The Reader
Dev Petal for Slumdog Millionaire
Brandon Walters for Australia.
The two movies will go head-to-head in The Best Picture category; their stars will fight for the Best Actor awards; and directors Van Sant and David Fincher will battle over the Best Director prize when the awards are handed out by the Broadcast Film Critics Association on 8 January.
Christopher Nolan's 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight had to settle for six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director; as did Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire and new release, Doubt.
The main nominees - announced in New York on Tuesday (9Dec08) by actress Rosie Perez - are as follows:
Best Picture:
Changeling
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Wall-e
The Wrestler
Best Actor:
Sean Penn
Brad Pitt
Clint Eastwood
Richard Jenkins
Frank Langella
Mickey Rourke
Best Actress:
Kate Beckinsale
Cate Blanchett
Angelina Jolie
Meryl Streep
Anne Hathaway
Melissa Leo
Best Supporting Actor:
James Franco
Josh Brolin
Heath Ledger
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Robert Downey Jr.
Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz
Vera Farmiga
Taraji P. Henson
Marisa Tomei
Kate Winslet
Best Director:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
Ron Howard for Frost Nixon
Gus Van Sant for Milk
Best Acting Ensemble:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
Rachel Getting Married
Best Animated Feature:
Bolt
Wall-e
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Waltz With Bashir
Best Young Actor and Actress:
Dakota Fanning for The Secret Life of Bees
David Kross for The Reader
Dev Petal for Slumdog Millionaire
Brandon Walters for Australia.
- 12/9/2008
- WENN
Director Baz Luhrmann has tipped Nicole Kidman's 12-year-old Australia co-star to become the country's next big thing.
Aboriginal boy Brandon Walters was hand-picked by Luhrmann to appear in his forthcoming film, which also stars Hugh Jackman - and the director is convinced the youngster is going to achieve major success in the movie industry.
He says, "Our next leading man is about four foot high, (with) long, sort of gold hair, and is an Aboriginal boy."...
Aboriginal boy Brandon Walters was hand-picked by Luhrmann to appear in his forthcoming film, which also stars Hugh Jackman - and the director is convinced the youngster is going to achieve major success in the movie industry.
He says, "Our next leading man is about four foot high, (with) long, sort of gold hair, and is an Aboriginal boy."...
- 10/8/2008
- WENN
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