“I Can’t Do This”: How Director Persuaded Nicole Kidman to Stay for Career-Defining Role That Earned Her an Oscar Nomination

“I Can’t Do This”: How Director Persuaded Nicole Kidman to Stay for Career-Defining Role That Earned Her an Oscar Nomination

Nicole Kidman, the acclaimed Australian actress, recently opened up about the anxiety she faced before accepting one of her career-defining roles. Kidman, known for her captivating performances in both Australian and international projects, became a household name in the 1990s with films such as Far and Away, Batman Forever, and To Die For. Over her illustrious career, she has accumulated an impressive tally of awards, including five Oscar nominations with one win, 17 Golden Globe nominations resulting in six wins, as well as multiple Emmy and BAFTA nominations.

In recent years, Nicole Kidman has showcased her versatility by taking on a range of unique roles. These include portraying a villain in Paddington, starring alongside Zac Efron in The Paperboy and A Family Affair, and joining a major superhero franchise as Queen Atlanna in Aquaman and its sequel. Notably, she has also ventured into the realm of prestige television, featuring in acclaimed series such as HBO’s Big Little Lies, Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, and Paramount+’s Special Ops: Lioness.

Nicole Kidman Needed Convincing for Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge! as a Career Milestone

Despite the monumental success that followed, Kidman initially had reservations about starring in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge!, which debuted in 2001. This musical adaptation, featuring contemporary tracks from artists like Madonna and KISS, tells a passionate love story set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Paris. The film was a major hit, grossing $179.2 million worldwide against a modest budget of $50 million, and it marked a pivotal moment in Kidman’s career as it garnered her first Oscar nomination.

Although she would eventually win an Oscar for her role as Virginia Woolf in The Hours in 2003, the experience of Moulin Rouge! remained significant for her journey as an actress.

In a recent discussion for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Kidman spoke candidly about her initial hesitations regarding her role in Moulin Rouge!. Paired with Zendaya, who stars in upcoming films Challengers and Dune: Part Two, Kidman revealed that she had serious doubts about her capability to perform in a musical. She expressed her desire for a love story but struggled with confidence concerning her singing ability until Luhrmann’s mentorship gradually built her up. Her full quote highlights her introspection:

Baz was so formative for me. I’d always done these weird films, but I was in my head going, “Gosh, I’m never going to get to do the great love story.” Suddenly, “Moulin Rouge!” came, and I’m like, “A musical love story? I can’t do this.” Because I don’t feel confident with the voice. Then he slowly built me up.

Reflections on Kidman’s Comments About Moulin Rouge!

A Musical Journey Continues

Nicole Kidman as Satine dancing in Moulin Rouge

While Nicole Kidman is not predominantly known for her musical performances, the experience of working with Luhrmann seems to have left a lasting impact on her career. Since Moulin Rouge!, she has demonstrated her willingness to explore diverse musical roles, having appeared in two additional live-action movie musicals: Nine (2009) and The Prom (2020) alongside an ensemble that included Meryl Streep and Andrew Rannells. Nearly two decades after her groundbreaking role, Kidman continues to embrace her artistic growth and vocal abilities.

For more insights, visit the original source: Variety.

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