Behind the Scenes of 'The Great Gatsby' : Weather Mishap Causes Unexpected Rain
Weather guru’s mistake turns spring day into unplanned rainstorm on Gatsby set.
According to Tom Breen, owner of the property "Breenhold" in the Blue Mountains, where much of the filming for The Great Gatsby took place, there was a notable mistake involving a "private weather guru" hired by director Baz Luhrmann. On what was a clear and beautiful spring day, the crew purchased 100,000 liters of water from a local dam to generate synthetic rain for a key scene — specifically, the tense moment where Gatsby nervously invites Nick Carraway and Daisy over for tea.
However, the weather expert’s miscalculation led to an unexpected outcome: instead of just a brief shower, it rained continuously for the next three days. This unplanned downpour disrupted filming schedules and created unforeseen challenges for the cast and crew. Breen claims that the weather guru’s mistake was a significant oversight, turning what was supposed to be controlled rain into an extended storm that affected multiple scenes. The incident highlights how unpredictable elements like weather can impact film production, even with professional assistance.
Despite the setbacks, the scene ultimately captured a dramatic atmosphere that contributed to the film’s visual storytelling. This behind-the-scenes story reveals how small errors in planning can lead to major surprises on set, adding an unanticipated layer of authenticity — or chaos — to filmmaking.
