Baz Luhrmann is currently preparing to direct his untitled Elvis Presley project for Warner Bros., but he’s already making moves on his next project. The director has secured the rights to cult Russian novel The Master And Margarita, something he’s been working towards for a long time.
Considered one of the masterpieces of the 20th century, Mikhail Bulgakov‘s novel is at once a fantastical yet devastating satire of Soviet society, an audacious revision of the stories of Faust and Christ’s Crucifixion, and a love story that spans across space and time. It was written during the darkest period of Stalin’s regime and banned for a while.
A censored edition was finally published in the 1960 and instantly became a worldwide literary phenomenon and inspired other iconic works. Translated into more than 40 languages, the novel has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is consistently included on lists of the greatest works of world literature.
Luhrmann will develop the project through his company, Baz & Co., and, while not confirmed, will likely direct considering this is a major passion project of his. “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.
“I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do an interpretation of this groundbreaking work”.
We’ll probably hear more about the project once Luhrmann has completed his Elvis film. The film stars Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker and Austin Butler as Presley. It begins production in February.
#Peace.Love.TheMasterAndMargarita
