They're still in talks, but everyone is reporting the deal as done, so I will too. Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are joining Nine, Rob Marshall's film adaptation of the 1982 Broadway musical. The Hollywood Reporter says they'll be joining the already impressive cast of Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren.Bardem will be playing the lead, a film director juggling the demands of several women in his life. The musical is an adaptation of Federico Fellini's autobiographical 8 1/2. Shooting was supposed to have begun in March, but due to the recent loss of Anthony Minghella, it has now been delayed to September. As Kidman is due to become a mother this summer, it would give her a nice maternity break.
I wasn't a big fan of Rob Marshall's Chicago, but the cast of this has me intrigued. I was always hoping Kidman would do another musical -- and it will be really fun to see Dench get to show off her impressive musical background. She played Sally Bowles in the original London production of Cabaret, and won the Olivier award in 1995 for her role in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. I can't believe no one has cast her in a big screen musical yet.
I have to say -- for some, the idea of a singing and dancing Hugh Jackman/Wolverine puts them on edge. For me, it's Bardem. I am trying to get the idea of Anton Chigurh out of my head, I don't want to see him singing and dancing. I tell myself he's a handsome and talented actor, and it's not working.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-04-2008 @ 12:20PM
Tigerlily said...
I love Judi Dench, (does she ever do anything really bad?) and like you have been hoping to see Kidman in a another musical. Frankly, I love musicals, so I'm always excited at the thought of one on film, Chicago aside.
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4-04-2008 @ 6:16PM
Em said...
Kidman isn't taken much time with her new baby is she? Right back to work.
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4-04-2008 @ 6:56PM
AJ said...
"Chicago aside."
wha?
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4-05-2008 @ 3:28AM
AJ Wiley said...
I absolutely loved Chicago, but hated Memoirs of a Geisha (the book is one of my favorites, though), so I was really excited while I was reading this article...until I discovered that it was an adaptation of 8 1/2. I think it's one of the most overrated movies ever made; it's nothing more than a pretentious, narcissistic exercise in self-indulgence.
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5-13-2008 @ 1:28AM
NY_TM said...
Brilliant choices for this film, on all fronts: Director, actors, and subject matter.
Rob Marshall is always true to the story and necessary theatricality (esp. in honoring the theatrical story for the medium of film).
Bardem (Oscar proven now), Cotilliard (such a fabulously brilliant and cute newcomer), Loren (enough said), Cruz (sex works), Kidman (we know she has the chops), and Dench.
Now, Dench may not immediately be seen as a natural “musical/song” performer (even with an Olivier award for her musical performance), but fear not…she COMPLETELY brings the house down with her genius interpretations and storytelling!
She can stir emotion like no one else on earth, and her voice is so unique that it just wheedles its way into your heart and you don't even question that she isn’t a natural singer. It just doesn’t seem to matter in the end, she WILL win your heart, it’s just her way!
This is going to be an AWESOME film, hands down, as long as they actually get the dream cast that has been touted.
Geezus…can’t wait!!!
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