India's Amitabh Bachchan takes Hollywood role

Amitabh Bachchan, Indias biggest movie star, is to make his first foray into Hollywood in a new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

Bachchan, who turns 69 next month, joins a Hollywood cast that includes Tobey Macguire, Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, producers Warner Bros said on Thursday.

Baz Luhrmann, director of Australia and Moulin Rouge!, is helming the new Gatsby. Warner issued a release saying he will "create his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before."

Bachchan has starred in more than 150Hindi-language films, playing everything from hero to villain. In The Great Gatsby, he will take on the role of Meyer Wolfsheim, a gambler and gangster who helps Gatsby make his money.

American writer F. Scott Fitzgeralds classic novel has been made into a film at least four times, including a 1974 version starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.

Luhrman told the Indian news service he had met with Bachchan in Mumbai some months ago and they had discussed working together.

"With the pivotal role of Wolfsheim, we have found the collaboration. I couldn't be happier,"Luhrmann is quoted as saying. "I know that Amitabh is doing this from the point of the quality ofFitzgeralds text, the tremendous cast, and, most importantly, as a gesture of good will and friendship. Im honoured to have him on board."

The film is to be shot in Australia and is scheduled for release in 2012.