Joel Edgerton and Luke Evans Top Contenders for Role of Tom Buchanan in THE GREAT GATSBY

Director Baz Luhrmann continues to fill out the cast for his 3D adaptation of The Great Gatsby. His primary cast of Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan as Daisy is set, and he’s now turned his attention to the crucial role of Tom Buchanan. Ben Affleck was previously circling the part, but was ultimately unable to fit the film into his schedule as his next directorial effort Argo starts production in September and Gatbsy is poised to roll in August. Now it looks like Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) and Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans) have emerged as frontrunners for the role. Hit the jump for more, as well as a synopsis of the book.

THR reports that both actors read for the role last week, but a final decision has yet to be made regarding the casting. Edgerton and Evans have been mainstays as of late on plenty of shortlists for highly sought-after roles. Both were both in contention for the lead in The Bourne Legacy, with Jeremy Renner ultimately nabbing the part.

Aussie Edgerton recently signed on for Katherine Bigelow’s Kill Bin Laden, and Evans has roles in the upcoming Three Musketeers adaptation and Tarsem Singh’s Immortals. One would assume that Edgerton has a slight advantage here, as Lurhmann is trying to fill out the cast with as many Australians as he can in order to benefit from some tax breaks for the production that will lens in Luhrmann’s home country.

Personally, I’m still bummed that Affleck couldn’t take the role. He seems like a perfect fit for the dickish Tom and it’s too bad we won’t be able to see him go toe-to-toe with DiCaprio. In addition to the top-billed stars, the cast for Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby also includes Isla Fischer as Myrtle Wilson and Australian newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker.

Here’s the synopsis for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby:

The mysterious Jay Gatsby embodies the American notion that it is possible to redefine oneself and persuade the world to accept that definition. Gatsby’s youthful neighbor, Nick Carraway, fascinated with the display of enormous wealth in which Gatsby revels, finds himself swept up in the lavish lifestyle of Long Island society during the Jazz Age. [Barnes & Noble]