Glamazon Gemma Ward will return to the silver screen in Baz Luhrmann’s production of The Great Gatsby. She received critical praise for her performance in The Black Balloon in 2008.
Jenna Clarke of The Age reports
Gemma Ward will be transformed into a "slender, worldly girl of about 30" for her role in the upcoming film The Great Gatsby.
According to film database IMDb, the Perth-born model-turned actress has officially been cast to play Catherine in the latest film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel which is being shot on location at Fox Studios in Sydney.
There has been much speculation about what role the former supermodel and budding actress would play in Baz Luhrman's biggest film project since Australia in 2008.
"Ooo (sic) lots of congratulations for me... role has to stay disclosed for now though sorry guys, will keep you posted!" Ward tweeted in early September.
Although the character of Catherine only appears eight times in the novel, this latest role for Ward is another impressive cameo for the 24-year-old retired catwalk star and Vogue covergirl.
Catherine is introduced in the second chapter of the novel and shows an uncanny likeness to Ward thanks to her alabaster complexion.
It is not known if the natural-honey blonde will be required to cut and dye her hair to resemble Catherine's "solid, sticky bob of red hair," to match her "complexion powdered milky white," as Fitzgerald penned in the early 1920s.
Ward's on screen alter ego is the sister of Myrtle Wilson who is being played by fellow Australian born actress Isla Fisher.
Fellow home grown talents including Joel Edgerton, Elizabeth Debicki and Jason Clarke have also been cast in supporting roles alongside Leonardo DiCaprio's Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan played by Carey Mulligan for the $120 million 3D film.
Former Australia's Next Top Model winner Alice Burdeu has also been cast as an extra in the period drama set in the era of flapper fashion.
Ward disappeared from the international catwalks and social scene in 2008 following the death of her rumoured boyfriend, fellow Perth actor Heath Ledger.
She received critical praise for her role in the 2008 Australian drama The Black Balloon.
Ward made her stage debut earlier this year in her hometown for the Perth Theatre Company's production of The Ugly One.
She also landed a small role in this year's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth instalment of the successful film franchise.
MTV have since earmarked her as one of the Breakout Stars to Watch for 2011.
While Ward learns her lines, Luhrmann and his costume designer wife Catherine Martin have announced a special partnership with jeweller Tiffany & Co for the film.
The jeweller, where Fitzgerald was a regular customer at the flagship 5th Avenue boutique in the '20s, will produce a pair of platinum-set earrings and pearls to be worn by Mulligan on screen.
Tiffany & Co china, accessories and sterling silver table will also feature in scenes with DiCaprio.
The Great Gatsby is slated for a Christmas Day release.
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