This Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman Western Series Changed Its Movies Ending

Baz Luhrmann is a director whose work has inspired a fervent following and equal disdain, depending on the project. Part of that is due to his maximalist tendencies: his work often tends to feature big sets, big names in the cast, and narratives that stretch on. A key example is Australia, the 2008 Luhrmann-helmed drama featuring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Australia is set on the brink of World War II, as Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) travels to the titular country in order to sell a cattle station. But after the death of her husband, Sarah finds herself falling for Drover (Jackman), a cattle rancher. It isn't long before drama rears its head, especially surrounding the indigenous Nullah (Brandon Walters) that comes to live with Sarah and Drover. Australia received a mixed reception when it was released, and probably would have remained a footnote in Luhrmann's career if not for the fact that he reworked the film into a streaming series called Faraway Downs, 15 years after Australia was released in theaters.