Want to Ride a Movie Star?

Channel 10 News Australia has featured a story on the horses of ‘Australia’ [download video here]. Angela Bishop reported that 19 specially trained horses from the film, many of those used by the lead actors such as Kidman, Jackman and Walters, are moving on to the next phase of their life, looking for new homes and ready to be auctioned off!

All the details for the auction taking place Saturday 5th April 2008 are available via Melross.com.au. The site includes a bevy of detail including images of the relevant horses and a great write up detailing their journey through the film making process.

“The horses were asked to accept stock whips, flapping tarpaulins, jumps, umbrellas, microphone booms, fire, explosions and were exposed to many other strange experiences that they would encounter in their new jobs as movie stars. Each horse was schooled to fit its actor’s character and extensive training was given to the cast at Fox Studios in Sydney to acquaint them with their new mounts.”
“Now, with filming finished, you have the opportunity to buy an animal that has done and experienced it all. What’s more, you will own a horse that for time and eternity will be featured in what promises to be one of movie-making’s epic stories, directed by the genius Baz Luhrmann. “

If you’re looking for a particularly famous ride, keep your eye on these 6 horses,Taffy , Stormy (Sand Storm), Roy (Jannsen Rob Roy), Buddy (Colonel Jet Setter), Bucky (Rosebrooke Hot to Glo) and Bindi (Strathmua Ballini), which were instrumental in key scenes of ‘Australia’. However, in the event that the producers require to re-shoot a particular scene these horse will be needed and therefore delivery will be delayed until the re-shoot takes place or the 30 September 2008 whichever is the earlier.

Happy Bidding, let us know if you’re a successful buyer!

March 26th, 2008

Nicole Spends Easter With Australia Co-Star Brandon Walters

With the new baby she’s expecting due in a few months’ time, Nicole Kidman spent Easter Sunday dusting off her parenting skills. Juggling the care of her sister Antonia’s two eldest children, Lucia and Hamish Hawley, and her Australia co-star Brandon Walters, the mum-to-be certainly had her hands full, guiding the youngsters to an early morning church service yesterday.
After beating leukaemia at the age of seven, the 11-year-old will make his big-screen debut in Baz Luhrmann’s epic. Hand-picked by the Moulin Rouge director for a pivotal role in the outback drama, he has charmed his celebrity co-stars, especially Kidman.
“She’s really taken Brandon under her wing. She and Hugh (Jackman) have looked out for him and eased him through the whole film-making process,” a set source said.
After church, the West Australian boy was welcomed back to the leading lady’s Darling Point home for lunch. On Saturday, the lucky lad was shown the Harbour sights during a cruise aboard the Oscar-winner’s luxury boat.

source: Article by Sydney Confidential’s Holly Byrnes

March 24th, 2008

More Release Dates for ‘Australia’

Further unconfirmed dates are filtering out from various sources in dribs and drabbs. However, via 20th Century Fox we can confirm a November 13th release for Australians and six weeks later the Brits get their moment with a December 26th release in the UK.

The Internet Movie Database has also listed a string of dates to follow:

At this early stage it’s still fair to say that nothing’s set in stone, so these are of course subject to change. However we doubt the film will hit our screens much later as a November/December release puts it in prime positioning for Academy Award consideration.

sources: Internet Movie Database, 20th Century Fox

March 18th, 2008