Cinematical

For those who thought we were getting an April start date for Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia, it looks like we might have to wait a little longer: Australian newspaper The Age just reported that star Nicole Kidman was beginning *seven months of rehearsals for the film, a period story about cattle ranchers in WWII Australia. The film also stars Hugh Jackman as the rough-around-the-edges drover to Kidman's English lady.

News that Kidman had begun work on the film came through her spokesperson having to deny a pregnancy rumor started by the tabloid rag News of the World. Kidman's publicist was quoted as saying, "She is about to get on a horse in the outback and break in brumbies. I hardly think she will be able to do that if she is pregnant," and that the star is "looking forward to ... making a great adventure in Australia."

The production has been closely watched from the beginning, and there has been plenty of speculation on the progress of the film -- casting, location, you name it. Just as long as I'm not writing about a production shutdown due to a horse-riding injury, it looks like we are getting at least a little closer to our first look at Luhrmann's masterpiece.

*Correction: Rehearsals will not last the entire 7 months, shooting is still scheduled to begin in April.