Anthony LaPaglia set for directorial debut
Australian actors Toni Collette and Anthony Lapaglia are set to make their directorial debuts as part of a new collaborative film project celebrating the city of Sydney.
The pair will each take charge of a short story for Sydney Unplugged, a series of 12 mini-movies produced by filmmaker John Polson and Gary Hamilton.
Fellow screen stars Russell Crowe and Liev Shreiber are also stepping behind the camera to contribute to the project.
Polson, the founder of Sydney’s Tropfest short film festival, tells The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s no secret some hugely talented directors, actors and others either live here or are from here. It’s about time this talent got together to tell stories that showcase one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The people that have stepped up to take part in this project are beyond our wildest dreams.”
Production is expected to begin Down Under later this year and is due for release in 2013.
Americana is an ABC's fashion drama by Phillip Noyce ordered to pilot next season. Anthony LaPaglia plays a legendary designer Robert Soulter who has transformed his fashion label "Americana" into a remarkable family dynasty. It's not just a billion dollar company, it's the most iconic brand in the world. At Americana, everyone works hard and plays even harder. The Soulter family lives in a modern day Oz and Robert Soulter is the Wizard. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the fashion business has a notorious dark side. This year, you're a genius. Next year, you're out. But one thing's for sure... you have to watch your back. And Robert had better watch his, because a power struggle is just beginning. It's the established powerbrokers versus the young and ambitious. After 30 years of being the king of his industry, someone wants Robert replaced.
