A host of images has been unveiled from Rob Marshall’s upcoming sure-fire-Oscar-hit musical “Nine.”
Based on Federico Fellini’s “8 ½,” Marshall’s “Nine” follows the story of Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), a forty year old director facing a mid-life crisis that is having detrimental effects on his creativity and relationships, namely the host of women in his life.
Featuring prominently in these and a prior image is Penelope Cruz, who plays Day-Lewis’ Contini’s mistress, Carla Albanese. Thus far, it’s been anyone’s guess to how Marshall would juggle his plethora of great actresses and their roles — and ultimately, which would qualify for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress? Cruz’s recent spate of publicity may suggest she will be one of the main players in the film. How else would you justify having more Cruz in your publicity than any other actress?
Another actress who is likely to have a sizable role is Nicole Kidman who took on the role of Condini’s muse Claudia Nardi after Catherine Zeta-Jones — Marshall’s lead in “Chicago” — turned it down. Also seen here is Judi Dench in her role as Liliane La Fleur, a confidant and costume designer for Guido.
An array of other women are also prominent in Condini’s life including an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Stacy Ferguson), his mother (Sophia Loren) and wife Luisa, played by the much-loved Marion Cotillard who is surprisingly absent from this batch of photos.
Javier Bardem was once cast as the male lead, but dropped out after the whirlwind experience of Oscar campaigning left him feeling exhausted and needing a break. Enter Daniel Day-Lewis, not someone you think of when you think of a song and dance man. “Daniel sings — he’d sung with a band at one point,” Marshall reminded in the recent issue of EW (not online of course) saying, like all roles, DDL really put in the work. “But he had never connected that you could sing and act simultaneously. This process was really about discovering that he could communicate through song with the same range he has as an actor. He worked every day for months and months and months before we started like an Olympian.”
“To say that he’s going to be brilliant I’m sure is not a surprise for anyone,” Penelope Cruz said. “But it’s mind-blowing what he does.”
The film is set to begin dazzling audiences on November 25. Btw, we heard some positive buzz about this one at a screening last night. Can’t wait. [Cinebuteco via AwardsDaily]