Composer Craig Armstrong has revealed that director Baz Luhrmann feared they would never work again after the risky gamble of Moulin Rouge!, which burst onto screens 25 years ago in a frenzy of glittery chaos and musical mischief, redefining cinema. The movie opened the Cannes Film Festival in May 2001, became a word-of-mouth sensation, earned eight Oscar nominations, and built a legacy as one of the best films of the past few decades.
Luhrmann's warning to Armstrong
Armstrong, who has collaborated with Luhrmann four times starting with 1996's Romeo + Juliet, recalls the director's candid warning. 'I remember when Baz asked me to do it, he said, "If this does work, it'll be great. And if it doesn't work, we'll never work again!"' Armstrong told Metro with a smile during the Sands Film Festival in April 2026, where he appeared for an in-conversation event. Despite the risk, Armstrong was all in alongside Luhrmann for the unconventional, hugely ambitious movie, with its genre-defying soundtrack that became a bestseller.
The making of a musical revolution
Armstrong not only composed the music but was involved with bold new song arrangements, including David Bowie's version of Nature Boy, Elton John's Your Song as belted out by Ewan McGregor, and the famous Elephant Love Medley, a mash-up duet between McGregor and Nicole Kidman. Kylie Minogue played the absinthe-inspired Green Fairy, while Pink and Christina Aguilera collaborated on a cover of Labelle's Lady Marmalade. The Police's Roxanne became a sensual tango. 'The set was amazing,' Armstrong recalls. 'It was quite freaky, because later on Ewan was working on Star Wars... my kids were quite excited to see him fighting with his lightsaber! It was slightly surreal too because Sydney's so hot, so we'd walk from this blinding heat into the Moulin Rouge.'
Armstrong's versatile career
Armstrong, 67, has clocked up a Grammy, two Baftas, an Ivor Novello, and a Golden Globe. His scores include Love Actually, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Plunkett & Macleane, Ray (for which he won the Grammy), Far from the Madding Crowd, and World Trade Center. He has worked with Massive Attack, Pet Shop Boys, and U2. 'I don't really see myself as a film composer, more just as a musician. I just try and bring myself to all the different mediums,' he says.
Working with Luhrmann
Armstrong reveals that Luhrmann has 'a whole language of pictures' ready to show him when discussing music, thanks to close collaboration with his Oscar-winning wife Catherine Martin. Armstrong gets involved early, writing music 'just from the script' on projects like The Great Gatsby. 'Baz likes you to be on the set so then you see all the actors repeating the same scene 50 times and that plugs you into the world.' Luhrmann famously 'intentionally ignores' period sound worlds, allowing anachronistic vibrancy.
Future collaborations
While Luhrmann has been busy with Elvis Presley projects and his next movie Jehanne d'Arc, Armstrong won't confirm involvement but says he'd 'love' to work with Luhrmann again. 'Apart from being a really good bloke – he's a lovely man – he's an amazing artist. But I've never asked to work with him on anything... So if he wants me, he'll phone me. I'd love to work with Baz again. I'm sure we will on something.'
Unfulfilled ambition: a stage musical
Armstrong is currently working on an orchestral song album with contributions from Sir Elton John and Elbow's Guy Garvey. One unfulfilled ambition is to pen a musical for all ages. 'A bit like Baz, I like it when anybody can get into a movie. I love The Wizard of Oz, so I'd like to do something like that.' Given his success with Moulin Rouge! for the movies, a stage musical seems inevitable.
