Remembering ‘Romeo + Juliet’: When Baz Luhrmann Put Leo in an Hawaiian Shirt
Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 modernised version of Romeo and Juliet brought Shakespeare’s dialogue into a contemporary Verona Beach, where rival families carried guns and Romeo wore a Hawaiian shirt. The film helped make Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes stars, and showed that a $15 million adaptation could become a major commercial hit.
DiCaprio, then 19, travelled to Australia with his father to workshop the role; 17-year-old Danes was cast as Juliet after 13-year-old Natalie Portman was judged too young opposite him. The production in Mexico faced hurricanes, illness and the kidnapping of hairstylist Aldo Signoretti, who was released after a $300 ransom. Released on 1 November 1996, the film grossed $147 million worldwide and received an Oscar nomination for art direction.
- Luhrmann’s modern Shakespeare adaptation became a $147 million hit.
- DiCaprio and Danes rose to stardom through the film.
- The Mexico shoot endured hurricanes, illness and a kidnapping.
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William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about two young people from feuding families who fall in love. Its story has been adapted many times, with filmmakers changing the setting and style while keeping Shakespeare’s words.
Australian director Baz Luhrmann set his 1996 film in a modern coastal city called Verona Beach, where the rival families used guns. Leonardo DiCaprio played Romeo and Claire Danes played Juliet; the film helped raise both young actors’ profiles.
The production had a budget of about $15 million, showing that a Shakespeare adaptation could reach a large cinema audience. Its blend of contemporary imagery and traditional dialogue also brought the play to viewers who might not otherwise have watched a Shakespeare film.