Never-seen-before footage of the first time Nicole Kidman tried to sing in front of Baz Luhrmann has been released.

The actress made her big screen singing debut in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, which was directed by fellow Australian Baz.

To celebrate the forthcoming Blu-ray edition of the vibrant musical film and another of Baz’s great box office hits – Romeo + Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio – the 48-year-old filmmaker is treating fans to film clips that have never been shown in public before.

“Fans of the films will obviously be lured by the fact that Luhrmann has dipped into the vaults of his company Bazmark to pull out some never-before-seen footage for the accompanying extras,” British newspaper The Independent reports.

“Highlights include Nicole Kidman’s first vocal test on Moulin Rouge! and the first on-camera kiss between Romeo + Juliet stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.”

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Rabbit Hole is screening at the following film festivals. Thanks to Marta & Emma for the alerts!

Mill Valley Film Festival – October 16th
Chicago International Film Festival – October 19th
Savannah Film Festival – October 31st
Starz Denver Film Festival – November 3rd
Cinema Arts Festival Houston – November 10th
Napa Valley Film Festival – November 12th-14th
American Film Market – November 3rd-10th

Los Angeles’ AFI Fest unveiled a bevvy of galas Wednesday including the world debut opening night selection, “Love and Other Drugs,” directed by Edward Zwick and starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal as mismatched lovers. Tom Hooper’s Toronto winner “The King’s Speech,” starring Colin Firth as King George VI will screen as the festival’s “Tribute Selection,” while five festival heavy-hitters including Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine,” Richard J. Lewis’ “Barney’s Version,” Diego Luna’s “Abel,” George Hickenlooper’s “Casino Jack” and John Wells’ “The Company Men” will screen as AFI Fest’s Centerpiece Gala Selections.

In other highlights, John Sayles’ latgest “Amigo,” John Cameron Mitchell’s “Rabbit Hole,” Nigel Cole’s “Made in Dagenham” and Werner Herzog’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” will round our the festival’s Special Screening Selections, while Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” will close the eight-day event.

AFI Fest 2010 will take place in Hollywood at the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the nearby Mann Chinese 6 theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from November 4 – 11. As previously announced, filmmaker David Lynch will take part as the festival’s first-ever “Guest Artistic Director.”

The announced 2010 AFI Fest gala selections with descriptions and information provided by the festival:

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AwardsDaily.com, one of the top Oscar buzz sites, has posted an interesting article about this years Oscar Best Actress race. Have a read!

It is being said that this is the Year of the Actress. It very may be, and if it is, it’s a long time coming. As we head out of the bulk of the year and into a very heated next four months, there are some things we know for sure. We know that Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) and Natalie Portman (Black Swan) are the two strongest contenders right now to win. We know that Jennifer Lawrence emerged with one of the year’s best performances in Winter’s Bone, and she will likely also be nominated. That leaves two open slots. And for those two spots, things might get a little heated.

Nicole Kidman – when a star like Kidman gives a praise-worthy performance she must be considered. There isn’t a sense of immediacy with her nomination, and it might go to someone who has never been there before. Then again, a star like Kidman always turns up in a gorgeous dress and brings old fashioned glam to the ceremony. This cannot be underestimated. I say this because I don’t have a lot of to go on other than post-Toronto buzz about her performance. I wouldn’t count her out.

- Read the full article

I’ve added 2 new stills from Rabbit Hole to the Gallery today, and also replaced the very first still we had from the movie with a HQ version.

And it gets better – these 2 new stills were sent to me by Luigi from DM2 Digital Media Managament, who works with Nicole herself. Luigi says that Nicole has recently taken the time to visit her fansites and appreciates the work that we do!! He goes on to say that Nicole wanted to send us these new Rabbit Hole stills as a thank you for the hard work. I believe this email is legitimate, so this is extremely exciting news for me, and us, as you can imagine! I just want to thank Luigi again for the email, and I’m so glad Nicole likes the site!

• Rabbit Hole > Stills x2 more

Metrodome has taken UK and Irish rights to John Cameron Mitchell’s Rabbit Hole, starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart.

The film previously sold to the US by Lionsgate, after its world premiere in Toronto.

Metrodome’s Head of Acquisitions & Production James Brown and Head of Business Affairs Kate Edwards negotiated the deal with Brian O’Shea at Affinity International.

Metrodome plans a theatrical launch in early February 2011, and plans a “full-scale BAFTA campaign.”

Nicole Kidman and Per Saari’ Blossom Films produced with Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech of Olympus Pictures, and Gigi Pritzger of OddLot Entertainment.

Rabbit Hole is based on the Pulitzer-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, who also wrote the screenplay. The story is about a husband and wife trying to save their marriage after the loss of a child.

Jezz Vernon, head of distribution for Metrodome, said: “This is a film that Metrodome has been very passionate about from the first time that we saw it. Rabbit Hole is simply an outstanding piece of cinema, and we are confident that it will receive the awards attention that it so richly deserves.”

Saari added: “Metrodome is simply the perfect fit for Rabbit Hole – we couldn’t be more pleased with the partnership.”

Earlier this week Nic attended Keith Urban & Friends’ “We’re All For The Hall” Benefit Concert in Nashville. She was only seen very briefly backstage, and I’ve added 2 photos to the Gallery.

EDITED on October 18th: Both photos have been replaced with HQ versions!

• Keith Urban & Friends’ “We’re All For The Hall” Benefit Concert – High Quality x2

I am so sorry for the lack of updates here in the past few weeks! I was having a number of computer and internet problems. I’m back and able to update now though. I don’t think much has been happening in Nicole-world, but I know I still have a ton of photos from the Toronto Film Festival to add, so stay tuned for them asap this week.

A few weeks ago we brought you the first photos of Nicole on the set of Trespass, and already we have the first still from the movie! EW.com have a first-look at a number of upcoming movies and tv shows, including Trespass. They included the following text (talking about Nicolas Cage, not our Nic ) and a still showing Nicole & Nicolas Cage’s characters being held at gunpoint, which you can view in our Gallery!

Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage under house arrest

Kidman and Cage play a wealthy couple whose lakefront dream house is the target of a break-in in Trespass, currently filming in Shreveport, La. ”There are cross-connections between the family and the [criminals], and many secrets come out,” says director Joel Schumacher (Phone Booth), who had to dissuade Cage from playing the villain. ”I know Nic would have been brilliant as the bad guy, but I wanted him to play the hero. It went back and forth and finally ended up where it should be.”

What are your thoughts on this film? Leave a comment!

• Trespass > Stills x1

Lionsgate has set a limited Dec. 17 launch date for Nicole Kidman-Aaron Eckhart starrer “Rabbit Hole.”

The debut positions the film for an awards qualifying run, expanding its limited rollout Christmas Day and then going wide Jan. 14.

Lionsgate announced plans to release the film this fall after the studio acquired North American distrib rights at the Toronto Film Fest last week.

Helmed by John Cameron Mitchell, “Rabbit Hole” is based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, who also penned the screenplay.

“Rabbit Hole” tells the story of parents struggling to cope with the death of their four-year-old son. Pic co-stars Dianne Wiest, Sandra Oh and Tammy Blanchard.

Kidman shepherded the project, along with Per Saari, through her Blossom Films shingle.

Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech for Olympus Pictures, as well as Gigi Pritzker for Odd Lot Entertainment, serve as producers.

Thanks to Emma at our forum for the heads up on this!

Access Hollywood is now listing Marion Cotillard as having joined Nicole in The Danish Girl. You might remember that Charlize Theron was first in line to star opposite Nicole, and then Gwyneth Paltrow was attached, before she left the project to spend more time with her family. Access Hollywood now says Nicole will star alongside Marion Cotillard in the movie. However, Nicole and Marion’s names have also been attached to another project – The Rivals – for a while, so it’s possible Access have got these two films mixed up. We’ll keep you posted on all upcoming developments and any official confirmations!