Elvis director Baz Luhrmann is officially reuniting with Warner Bros. for his next film: an epic retelling of real-life French heroine Joan of Arc. Though the project is still in its early stages, a casting call was sent out earlier today for the eponymous protagonist — a young girl transformed into a national icon due to her incredible resilience and determination in the face of the Hundred Years’ War.
While celebrating his 62nd birthday, Luhrmann revealed his intention to tackle the extraordinary French epic — an announcement initially disclosed by Deadline, and later confirmed by Warner Bros. The film has two potential titles, either Jehanne or Jehanne d’Arc, and will tell “the ultimate teenage girl coming of age story, set in the Hundred Years’ War.” Reportedly in the midst of his creative process, Luhrmann has declined to share further details about the project, but given that the casting process has already begun, it’s likely that updates will be available soon.
Rumors of a prime candidate for the starring role of Jehanne d’Arc have already begun to circulate, however. In a video interview with Letterboxd earlier this month, Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega revealed that Joan of Arc is one of her dream roles, with the 1928 silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc topping the short list of Ortega’s favorite films. Further cementing Ortega’s chances at the role is her history with Warner Bros., with whom she collaborated for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. You can view Ortega’s interview with Letterboxd below:
How Luhrmann Can Make Jehanne D’Arc His Own
Luhrmann is far from the only director to attempt a retelling of France’s most iconic national hero. In 1928, director Carl Theodor Dreyer produced what is now widely regarded as a landmark of cinema, The Passion of Joan of Arc. A silent film utilizing mostly close-ups and high-contrast lighting, and forbidding the use of makeup on actors to create almost grotesque profiles, it is a minimalistic yet undeniably effective take on Joan of Arc’s devotion and divinity in spite of incredible suffering.
That said, Luhrmann’s distinctive filmmaking style makes him almost uniquely qualified to bring Joan of Arc’s story to the screen in a way that is unlike anything done before. For example, in stark contrast to the simple costumes and sets of Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc, Luhrmann is well known for his maximalist aesthetic. Scenes like the Capulets’ party in Romeo + Juliet are filled with elaborate costuming and claustrophobic set pieces, while viewers’ first introduction to Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby is iconic for its moving camera, showcasing gorgeous flapper dresses, distinctive makeup, and the fabulous luxury of the ultra-wealthy in 1920s America.
It’s unclear how exactly Luhrmann will make Jehanne D’Arc his own — only that he is more than capable of doing so. From using modern settings for classic stories, such as the distinctly 1990s “Verona Beach” that features in Romeo + Juliet, to using modern music in an otherwise period-accurate piece, such as the soundtrack in Elvis, Luhrmann is a true expert at blending artistic elements across time and space to create cohesive and compelling stories. Whatever he has planned for Jehanne D’Arc, it’s sure to be a hit.
