Entertainment · Film · 1 day ago
How Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet Became a $147 Million Hit
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet brought Shakespeare’s tragedy into a modern setting called Verona Beach.
The 1996 film cast Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet, with rival families portrayed as armed dynasties.
Luhrmann first considered Natalie Portman for Juliet, but she was 13 and seemed too young opposite DiCaprio.
The production faced hurricanes that destroyed sets, a week-long shutdown because of illness and the kidnapping of hairstylist Aldo Signoretti, who was released for a $300 ransom.
Despite those problems, the film was completed and opened on November 1, 1996.
It turned a $15 million production into a $147 million worldwide hit and received an Oscar nomination for art direction.
The film helped advance DiCaprio’s career and led to Danes being cast in several films.
Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film Romeo + Juliet earned $147 million worldwide from a $15 million budget.
The film recast Shakespeare’s tragedy in present-day Verona Beach, with rival gun-toting families.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes starred as Romeo and Juliet.
Production in Mexico faced hurricanes, illness and the kidnapping of hairstylist Aldo Signoretti.
The film earned an Oscar nomination for art direction and helped advance the careers of DiCaprio and Danes.
- Who
- Director Baz Luhrmann made the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
- What
- Romeo + Juliet adapted Shakespeare’s play to a modern setting and became a worldwide hit.
- When
- It opened on Nov. 1, 1996.
- Where
- The story was set in present-day Verona Beach; filming took place in Mexico.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
[The studio] Fox said it looked like Leonardo DiCaprio was molesting me when we kissed.
The fact that [the film] even got made is kind of bonkers,
Luhrmann spotted a magazine photo of 19-year-old DiCaprio and saw him as Romeo.
Natalie Portman was initially cast as Juliet, but Luhrmann eventually chose 17-year-old Claire Danes.
The Mexico shoot was disrupted by hurricanes and illness, and hairstylist Aldo Signoretti was kidnapped and released for a $300 ransom.
Fox opened William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet.
The film became a $147 million worldwide hit and earned an Oscar nomination for art direction.
- Worldwide box office
- $147 million
- Production budget
- $15 million
- U.S. opening date
- Nov. 1, 1996
- Director
- Baz Luhrmann
- Lead actors
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes
- Oscar recognition
- Nomination for art direction
Sources
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