Milestone Years
- 10th Anniversary: May 1, 2023
- 15th Anniversary: May 1, 2028
- 20th Anniversary: May 1, 2033
- 25th Anniversary: May 1, 2038
Inspiration Behind the Movie
Baz Luhrmann adapted The Great Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel. Luhrmann aimed to modernize the story’s emotional resonance and glamor by blending period visuals with a contemporary soundtrack. The film retains Fitzgerald’s themes of illusion, wealth, and the American Dream, while reinterpreting them for modern audiences.
You Might Not Know
- Jay-Z executive produced the film’s soundtrack, fusing hip-hop with jazz to modernize the Roaring Twenties.
- Over 300 costumes were custom-made for the film, many by Prada and Brooks Brothers.
- DiCaprio’s first line in the film (“I’m Gatsby”) took over a dozen takes to perfect.
- The film used extensive CGI to recreate 1920s New York City and Gatsby’s mansion.
- It grossed over $353 million globally, making it the highest-grossing Fitzgerald adaptation to date.
Food Ideas
- Champagne cupcakes with edible gold leaf
- Deviled eggs with a caviar twist
- Mint julep cocktails or mocktails
- 1920s-style tea sandwiches
- Art Deco sugar cookies
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Summary:
Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and World War I veteran, becomes entangled in the lavish world of his enigmatic millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby. As Gatsby’s obsession with rekindling a past romance unfolds, secrets, ambition, and illusions collide in a whirlwind of 1920s decadence.
Genre(s) and MPAA Rating: Drama, Romance, PG-13
Key Cast Members:
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Tobey Maguire
- Carey Mulligan
- Joel Edgerton
- Isla Fisher
Ways to Celebrate
- Dress in flapper dresses and tuxedos for a Gatsby-themed movie night
- Create a jazz-age playlist and dance to 1920s-inspired music
- Host a “Green Light” cocktail party with themed drinks and décor
- Set up a “speakeasy” corner in your home
- Read quotes from the novel between scenes for a literary twist
Filming Locations
- Sydney, Australia served as the primary filming location. Gatsby’s mansion and the cityscape of 1920s New York were digitally constructed using sets and CGI.
- Centennial Park, Sydney stood in for the Valley of Ashes and other scenes.
- Although set in New York, the film’s opulent look was crafted almost entirely on soundstages and backlots in Australia.