Today sees one actor joining Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, Isla Fisher who will play Myrtle Wilson, and one actor who is now leaving the project. Ben Affleck who was originally down to play Tom Buchanan, the spouse of Daisy, is now out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. He couldn’t find time to fit the film into his schedule as he is prepping another directorial project Argo, produced by Grant Heslov and George Clooney, about the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran.
Personally I’m quite pleased that Affleck is out. Buchanan is a meaty role and requires a talented actor and for all his talent he’s proven behind the camera, Affleck isn’t the greatest actor in the world. I would like to see an actor like Jon Hamm take the role, who I think is a perfect match and would also see him playing against type, as Tom is an incredibly unlikeable character in the book. He is an actor of significant talent and range who I think could pull off that role.
Reports indicate however that Luhrmann is looking towards Australian actors in order to cut budget costs. Considering he’s shooting the film in 3D, anything to cut production costs would be a wise thing. Let us know who you think should take the role of Tom Buchanan now that Affleck has left. (Deadline)