This film thought it would go to the Oscars, but it was such a failure that its star almost left everything.

In 2004, two Hollywood biographies began adapting Alexander’s life. The first of them will be directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) with Leonardo DiCaprio in the main role, Nicole Kidman in the role of mother and Mel Gibson in the role of father, the second will be directed by Oliver Stone with Colin Farrell. The famous king of Macedonia is played by Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins and Val Kilmer.

Initially there are two projects

Stone has been working on the subject since 1988, and it’s well advanced, where Luhrmann still has a lot to do. In July, it was announced that the filmmaker was leaving his Alexander, leaving the field open for Oliver Stone. He’ll say it years later on a podcast happy sad confused :

He had a studio in Morocco for the film. What happened was that it was kind of half-done, but to be honest, it became one of those things where… I wanted to make my own version, and I’m not a sprinter. I can’t work like this, plus we wanted to have kids.

Sulfur Plateau

Oliver Stone remains the only wearer of this large mural, launched after the success of Troy with Brad Pitt last year, which itself began thanks to the tidal wave of Gladiator in 2000. The shoot is a reflection of the project: epic! Scenes were shot in Thailand, Morocco, Malta, London and German studios, Colin Farrell injures his leg after a horse-riding stunt that Stone refuses to perform in special effects, and rumors of drug use and Sex on set.

Filming on Alexander began in September 2003 and wrapped in February 2004, following a November 2004 release in the United States. Both critics and viewers are very strict about three hours of Alexander, and most importantly, the public does not come to the cinemas. On American soil, the film grossed only $57 million on a budget of $250.6 million (adjusted for 2024 inflation).

Colin Farrell is very articulate: “I am only one. “

Fortunately, the film also collected $222 million worldwide, filling the box office a bit without turning a profit. At the time, the French press gave it an average of 3 out of 5 on AlloCiné, and today viewers give it an average of 2.6 out of 5.

The failure of the film also led the actor to a hard introspection. Many in the media and onlookers mocked her blonde wig and odd accent, with Pharrell saying to himself: “I’m just a b***a. I’m exposed.” It was a heavy blow for him and the entire film team, who, according to Colin Farrell, were expecting multiple Oscar nominations.

In response to this public and critical rejection, De Laurentiis would try Bring the project to life Prospective with Baz Luhrmann in February 2005 “Alexander we didn’t have”But the project will remain a dead letter.