Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge to become Stage Musical directed by Alex Timbers

Moulin Rouge! The Musical will come to the theatrical stage.

It has been announced that Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary film Moulin Rouge is in development for the stage as a new musical theatre production.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical will feature a book by John Logan with direction by Alex Timbers, and is in development with Global Creatures. No timeline or venue for the production has been announced, but developmental work on the show is underway, with official dates and opening venue announced at a later date. It is not known if the show will open on Broadway, in London or even in Australia.

Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and has since earned over $179 million worldwide. The film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two.

Speaking about the project producer, director and screenwriter Baz Luhrmann said: "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love. I immediately recognized the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts. So I'm tremendously happy to celebrate that Moulin Rouge! will be under his direction and that the book will be the creation of the gifted Tony Award-winning playwright John Logan whose writing I also admire deeply. It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm."

Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a young poet/writer, Christian, who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress and courtesan Satine using the musical setting of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France. The film featured a score of hit songs that were specifically rearranged for the story, including "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", Sting's "Roxanne", Queen's "The Show Must Go On", Madonna's "Like a Virgin", Elton John's "Your Song" and the now iconic "Elephant Love Medley" and "Come What May".

Baz Luhrmann's film credits include The Great Gatsby (2013), Australia (2008), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Romeo + Juliet (1996), and Strictly Ballroom (1992), which has its UK stage premiere later this year.

Alex Timbers is a two-time Tony-nominated director. His New York credits include Rocky, Peter and the Starcatcher, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Robber Bridegroom, Here Lies Love, Love's Labour's Lost and Gutenberg!

John Logan received the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic Circle and Drama League awards for his play Red that premiered at the Donmar Warehouse and at Golden Theatre on Broadway. Other credits include Peter and Alice, I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers and the book for the musical The Last Ship.

Further information about Moulin Rouge! the Musical will be announced in due course.