The classic American novel The Great Gatsby is being adapted for cinema once again, but this time in animated form.
F Scott Fitzgerald’s roaring 1920s novel is regarded as an American classic and has been adapted for cinematic telling several times, most recently by Baz Luhrmann in 2016. Luhrmann’s movie was a lavish take on the story that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. Now, the 1925 novel is getting the adaptation treatment once more, but interestingly, this time in the form of an animated feature film that will be bought to us by the feature animation arm of VFX house DNEG, the effects company whose striking work you may have enjoyed in Tenet.
The project will be directed by William Joyce who already has one Academy Award under his belt for his 2011 short film The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr Morris Lessmore. States Joyce, “Gatsby continues to cast a powerful spell over readers unlike any other book in American letters. Much of the power of Gatsby comes from the enchantment of Fitzgerald’s prose. He created a vivid dreamscape that, to some degree, has eluded filmmakers since the silent era. The previous film versions were constrained by live action, but innovative animation could finally realise the elusive quality of the novel”.
That’s the point that makes this adaptation so exciting, of course. If the animation team can come up with a visual style that evokes the aesthetic of the 1920s ‘Age of Jazz’, we could be in for a real treat.
Also of note is that the project is being written by Brian Selznick who wrote and illustrated the book The Invention Of Hugo Cabret on which Martin Scorsese’s 2011 film, the brilliant Hugo was based.
The creative team behind this one certainly makes it an exciting project to follow. We might be waiting a while for further news, but you can be assured we’ll keep you posted on further developments.
The Hollywood Reporter
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