SUBMITTED BY Timbo

November 17, 2003 — Variety reports that Intermedia/IMF and Summit Entertainment have just finalized a Japanese distribution agreement for the Oliver Stone-Colin Farrell Alexander the Great project, throwing the competing Alexander project helmed by Baz Luhrmann into question.

Why? Apart from sheer momentum, it was always assumed that Leonardo Di Caprio, much-loved in Japan, would help clinch a distribution agreement there. Not only is there no agreement in place for the Baz Luhrmann version, but Leonardo Di Caprio has not yet officially signed on to star, and already has other projects underway.

So it's looking like the Baz Luhrmann project is at the very least going to be delayed. The studios (Universal, DreamWorks) are still behind the Luhrmann version, so its immediate fate is not in question.