With the untitled Elvis Presley biopic in pre-production, Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby) has found his next project after the biopic in the form of an adaptation of the Russian supernatural fantasy novel The Master and Margarita, according to Deadline.
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The novel, written by Mikhail Bulgakov during Stalin’s Soviet Union regime between 1928-40, is a satire of the Soviet society that also revises stories of Faust and Christ’s crucifixion while also telling a love story that spans across space and time. It’s considered one of the most essential novels of the 20th century and has inspired works across culture that includes the Rolling Stone’s “Sympathy for the Devil,” Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses and Pearl Jam’s “Pilate.”
“Stretching back almost 20 years, I’ve had an incredible connection with the story of The Master and Margarita and have long sought the rights to this extraordinary book,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do an interpretation of this groundbreaking work.”
Luhrmann has reportedly been seeking to secure the rights for the novel for years and considers it a passion project for The Great Gatsby director, who has partnered with rights holders Svetlana Migunova-Dali and Grace Loh and will also produce alongside Natalia Rogal.
“It is an absolute dream come true to be collaborating with Baz on The Master and Margarita,” says Migunova-Dali and Loh. “The words of Bulgakov remain as poignant in the world today as nearly a century ago, and we can’t imagine a more brilliant and visionary filmmaker to bring this powerful story to audiences around the world.”
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Luhrmann is set to develop the project through his banner Baz & Co., a joint venture with Len Blavatnik. The adaptation will also be executive produced by Michael Lang, Nevin Shalit, Andrew Fouman and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lindsay Williams of the Gotham Group.
Luhrmann is set to begin production on his untitled Elvis Presley biopic, starring Austin Butler (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), in February 2020 in his home country of Australia
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
