When authenticity is the number one concern when it comes to adapting a classic American novel into a film, any actress would be intimidated by the responsibility and pressure of starring in the film and British actress Carey Mulligan is no exception.

Mulligan has repeatedly told the media how terrified she is of letting readers down with her portrayal of F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s character, Daisy Buchanan from the classic American novel,  “The Great Gatsby.”

"It's daunting. It's the biggest thing I've been involved in—it’s strange going from a little off-Broadway play to such a big thing, but I'm raring to go," she told the BBC.

Mulligan co-stars are Leonardo DiCaprio as millionaire Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as narrator Nick Carraway and Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson. Mulligan said the cast got together earlier this year to work on the characters before filming begins in August at Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia.

"I've had so much time and I've been able to read so much Fitzgerald. I went to Princeton where they keep all his papers and I got to look at Zelda Fitzgerald's medical records and got to look at the most amazing stuff, the first manuscript of 'The Great Gatsby," she said during an interview at Comic-Con.
______________________

Read more:

Carey Mulligan told she needs botox at 25

Ben Affleck in talks for Baz Luhrmann ‘Great Gatsby’ 3D role

Carey Mulligan never gets recognised when she goes out

______________________

"It's really research intensive. We got overloaded with books and research files. I've been reading Zelda Fitzgerald [wife of F Scott] biographies about [Chicago socialite] Ginevra King and all these characters that Daisy was drawn from."

The cast has been able to obtain records that have helped in their research of the time period, novel and characters they will be playing. The film’s director Baz Luhrmann provided the cast with research materials like files, books and presentations on the economy and lifestyle of the 1920s.

The pressure of adapting what is believed to be one of the greatest American novels into a 3D film could be grueling for these actors. The respect the actress shows for Fitzgerald’s work and the preparation and research she is doing, will only help Carey Mulligan in being the most prepared she can be for her role as Daisy in the film.