Baz Luhrmann has temporarily ceased production of his upcoming Elvis Presley biopic after star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson caught coronavirus while filming.
The Australian director urged the cast and crew of the project, which is currently filming on the Gold Coast, to stay home in a private letter obtained by the Gold Coast Bulletin.
According to the publication, the 57-year-old said that they were facing a ‘difficult situation’ in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
”We request all cast and crew stay at home today’: Baz Luhrmann (pictured) has temporarily ceased production of his upcoming Elvis Presley biopic after star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson caught coronavirus while filming
‘Be assured we will keep you updated as that information develops,’ Baz wrote.
‘We request all cast and crew stay at home today and not come to work. All work activity on the production is cancelled and will not resume until further notice.
‘We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and we will be following up with more details over the next several hours.
‘On a personal note, please know that the health and well-being of our entire company is our absolute focus at this time. Many thanks for your support as we manage this difficult situation.’
Outbreak: Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the novel coronavirus, they revealed Thursday
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the novel coronavirus, they revealed Thursday.
The Forrest Gump actor and his wife, both 63, announced the positive test results on Instagram urging the public to ‘take care’ amid the crisis.
The couple is currently in Gold Coast, Australia where the Oscar-winner is filming for an untitled Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis Presley film produced by Warner Bros.
Hanks revealed he and his wife experienced symptoms including the common cold, body aches and chills before they decided to get tested.
‘We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and we will be following up with more details over the next several hours,’ Baz wrote in a personal letter sent to the cast and crew of the film
‘Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.’
‘Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?’ Hanks wrote.
‘We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! Hanx!’
He shared a picture of what appears to be a medical waste basket and a latex glove in a hospital.
‘Take care’: Hanks and his wife, both 63, announced the positive test results on Instagram urging the public to ‘take care’ amid the crisis
Hanks touched down in Gold Coast on January 26 for the film, which is still in pre-production meaning cameras have not started rolling yet.
He was rumored to be staying at Peppers Broadbeach, the very same hotel building where a 44-year-old Chinese national, who later became one of Australia’s first cases of coronavirus, was staying, according to The Advertiser.
That man was rushed to the hospital on January 28 and was confirmed to have the virus on January 29. He had recently returned from Wuhan and was travelling with his wife and child and was staying at the Oracle building, but was not a guest at Peppers Broadbeach, which is located in the same building.
Hanks was cast in the film alongside actors Rufus Sewell, Austin Butler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Olivia DeJonge, according to IMDb.
In the film Hanks was filming he plays Presley’s longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Down Under: Rita (pictured) was in Sydney last weekend enjoying the sights and sounds of the city
Warner Bros. said in a statement that when they became aware someone in production was diagnosed with the virus they worked with Australian health agencies to assure that the movie production is safe.
‘We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production in The Gold Coast, Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).
‘We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual. The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority, and we are taking precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world.
‘The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is currently receiving treatment.’
Hanks and Wilson share four children together.
Picture perfect! A fan got a photo with Tom and Rita in Sydney earlier this week