Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench in talks for musical!

trinityFri 04/04/08 09:35

Source: The Hollywood Reporter


Ahh yes...this is the kind of story I like to see on a Friday morning :)


Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench are in talks to join Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren in Rob Marshall's adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical...'NINE'.

The 1982 show, itself an adaptation of Federico Fellini's autobiographical opus '8 1/2' revolves around a film director (played by Bardem) juggling the demands of several women in his life.

The Weinstein Co. project was due to begin principal photography in March but was postponed when the late writer-director Anthony Minghella didn't have enough time to rework Michael Tolkin's screenplay before the WGA strike. Extra work was needed to coordinate the choreography and Maury Yeston's music and lyrics with a new draft. The film has now been pencilled in for a late September start.

Kidman is due to give birth in the summer, giving her several months of maternity leave before the film's proposed start date. Her filming also might be scheduled in the latter part of the shoot.


It goes without saying that plenty of people here would be familiar with Kidman's singing and dancing talents from Moulin Rouge....but far fewer might be aware of Dench's extensive musical theater experience. She played Sally Bowles in the original London production of Cabaret in 1968....and won the 1995 Olivier Award for best actress in a musical in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music.


A diverse Hollywood cast like this (coupled with the director/choreographer of the Chicago adaptation) in a musical of this callibre will make great viewing indeed!

2xistFri 04/04/08 13:53

I don't know 'Nine' but it sounds like an interesting project. Has the show ever played London?

Did anyone see it on Broadway a few years back? Reason I ask is I've seen references to Jane Krakowski (sp?) making the most amazing entrance in the show, but I've never seen an explanation of what that entrance was, and have always been intrigued!

trinityFri 04/04/08 14:01

quoting > "Has the show ever played London?"

I'm not sure about that.. Hopefully someone reading this thread will know?

Here's a clip of the 57th Tony Awards, showing a segment from the play:

densboyFri 04/04/08 14:02

I *heart* Nine, and have waited for a long time to see this film made, woohooo

densboyFri 04/04/08 14:07

It has Played in a concert/platform version as part of Covent garden festival, not sure if there has been a full scale production, certainly not in west end

trinityThu 01/05/08 12:23

The latest news on this is that Javier Bardem has pulled out from the project due to exhaustion from work and the awards season.


Bardem was ready to make the film late last year, but 'Nine' got postponed, along with several other high profile projects, because it needed refinements to the Michael Tolkin script that weren't possible because of the writer's strike.

Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Co., Harvey Weinstein, added:

"Javier personally asked me if we could move production to February, but we just couldn't do it. He is an amazing talent and I know we'll work together in the future, very soon."

densboyThu 01/05/08 12:57

maybe they will cast antonio Banderas again, he did well in it on Broadway?