Carey Mulligan’s obsessive preparation for Great Gatsby

London (ANI): Carey Mulligan has been 'obsessively reading" The Great Gatsby to prepare for her role in Baz Luhrmann's film version. The British actress, who will portray Daisy Buchanan in the movie, felt surreal when she found out she had won the role, and is currently reading the book ahead of the movie shoot next year.

“I'm still in shock. It was the most surreal night of my life when I found out that I'd got it," she told the BBC. “I"d auditioned twice and waited for a fortnight, and called my agent every two hours for two weeks. He almost sacked me!"

“Mulligan said at a film awards ceremony here on Sunday. It was a huge shock and I can"t believe I"m going to be working with the people I"m going to be working with. I have a copy of it by my bed that I"m obsessively reading," she added.

The movie, based on the popular novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is expected to go into production next year. Luhrmann had conducted workshop readings in New York with Leonardo DiCaprio playing millionaire Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. But neither has been confirmed for the roles.