NINE Casting Update...

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:44pm

So, I just got back from lunch with a friend who works at Weinstein Company, and I got some juicy casting information for you all...

So, here's the scoop. Right now, Catherine Zeta-Jones is the first choice for Luisa, and as of now, she's got the part, they're just working out to finalize her contract.

Katie Holmes did indeed audition, and supposedly impressed Marhsall and Co, so, she might end up being the film's Claudia. However, Anne Hathaway, who is meeting with the Weinsteins and Marshall this week in NYC, is also a possibility for Claudia. Apparently, they want to go younger with the character of Claudia for the film version.

Also, right now, my friend says it looks like Renee Zellwegger with be Carla, though, she hasn't committed yet for two reasons: the size of the role, and she is fielding other offers for next year, so, the film is trying their hardest to secure her.

My friend said that right now, their biggest challenge is finding a Guido Contini, because there are a couple of different ways they want to approach the role (in terms of look, age, sound, and whatnot).

Lastly, as for Le Fleur, Judi Dench is their first choice, however, her filming schedule for the next Bond movie would get in the way. But they still want her for the part, and are going to try and work around her schedule.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:46pm

Zellwegger as Carla? No offense, but she doesn't exactly scream "SEX GODDESS".

Are they not approaching Banderas for Guido? I thought that would be a given?

I like the Hathaway and Zeta-Jones ideas, and I'm not sure about Dench.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:51pm

YES!! Zeta-Jones as Luisa. They can definitely tone down her sexiness. I think she will be so perfect. I can totally hear her singing MY HUSBAND MAKES MOVIES, and BE ON YOUR OWN. Granted those two amazing songs make the cut.

I wanted Jones for Luisa since the beginning, but at first many weren't crazy about the idea.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:52pm

Does your friend know that you have posted this information?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:52pm

If either MY HUSBAND MAKES MOVIES or BE ON YOUR OWN is cut, I will be pissed.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:54pm

^ Oh me too! But I just can't see them cutting those. They are arguably two of the best songs in the score... and I'm sure they want to give Zeta-Jones as much to sing as possible.
Updated On: 7/18/07 at 12:54 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:56pm

I would've preferred Toni Collette for Luisa though I'm sure Catherine Z. Jones would do a great job. I very much hope negotiations with Renee Zellweger fall apart, I definitely do not want to see her as Carla, especially when there are a dozen actresses that could do a better job.
If they must cast Claudia as a younger girl, it should be Anne Hathaway. Katie Holmes has no business singing "Unusual Way."
Not really loving the idea of Judi Dench, especially since Montevecchi was in her 50's when she did the original production, and she was very very sexy. Don't forget that Le Fleur doubles as the character who stands for Claudia in the Grand Canal sequence.
I'm not really liking the way the cast is shaping up, way too obvious. Where are Marissa Tomei, Toni Collette, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek and the rest of them?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:56pm

I would assume that THE GERMANS AT DEH SHPA and much of THE GRAND CANAL would be cut.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:00pm

brdlwyr, no he doesn't. Wanna sue me?

It's not like what I posted was compeltely new information, all those names had already been tossed around the general public, so, I am just updating people, not spilling the beans...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:08pm

I think chances are the Grand Canal sequence will be done away with and if a stage revival cuts "The Germans at the Spa" then the movie definitely will as well.
Even then I see Le Fleur as a middle-aged sexy yet somewhat evil woman...not Judi Dench.
Jones is okay as Luisa, I just find it a bit too predictable, too obvious. I can definitely see her doing a great "Be On Your Own" though, and I'd have to wait and see what she does with "My Husband Makes Movies." I wouldn't be surprised if either one of those songs gets cut though, especially "My Husband Makes Movies."
Zellweger for Carla? NO!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:11pm

^ I can't see them leaving Jones with only one song. That's why I think they will both most likely make the cut. I think they will try to pass Jones as the leading lady along with whoever plays Guido. So I'm sure they will want her to sing quite a bit.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:16pm

You're right, Ljay, that certainly makes sense. Still, I remember MichaelBennett said in the old NINE thread that they may just write a new song for Luisa and replace one of the stage songs. Not sure if this is an actual possibility but still.
I am sure Jones will be advertised as the leading lady for marketing purposes and Oscar purposes (I suppose this movie is gonna be the musical contender for the '09/'10 Oscars).

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:17pm

zellwegger CANNOT play carla- as its been mentioned earlier she doesn't remotely fit the physical qualifications for the role.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:17pm

Remember, they have all said they will tailor these roles to the actresses they cast...

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:18pm

Can Dench do a French accent? If not, I would assume the charater of LaFleur would be changed significantly if she were cast.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:22pm

I've never really thought of Carla as a sweaty puffy coke whore...

[jv92]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 1:26pm

YES! Zeta Jones is perfect for Luisa! She has the vocal chops for it too.
Tell your friend that if he ever gets to speek with someone close to the production that they should consider Chita for La Fleur. She's not a huge name to everyone, but I think she'd be better than Dame Judi. We shall see though. Updated On: 7/18/07 at 01:26 PM

[JBSinger]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:32pm

I like the idea of Jones as Luisa. I bet they keep both songs.

Hathaway as Claudia is fine with me too. At least she has some musical experience.

Renee as Carla. No thanks.

Judi Dench as La Fleur. Isn't there a French actress "of a certain age" to do this? Surely there must be. What about that lady who just did that Piaf movie. too young? Plus Dench sings like a hinge.

Guido - for Hollywood types, there are several who can sing it, but are not right for it. I hope they at least give Antonio a stab at it since he was so good on stage (and is a movie star). Maybe they'll go for Johnny Depp (if any tracks of Sweeney Todd get leaked to the casting folks).

[EverythingIsRENT]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:37pm

my drea mcast is as follows:

Guido - Antonio Bandaras
Louisa - Catherine Zeta-Jones
Carla - Jane Krakowski
Claudia - Renee Zelweger
Saraghina - Queen Latifah
Lillian Lefleur - Bette Middler
Guidos Mother - Bernadette Peters
Our Lady of the Spa - Nicole Kidman

[jv92]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:41pm

"Remember, they have all said they will tailor these roles to the actresses they cast..."

So they're going to make La Fleur British and have Dame Judi sing a new Maury Yeston song called about the British Musical Hall?

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:43pm

um i'm sorry Marshall should throw on Chicago and watch Zellweger and remember that she has no sex appeal and looks like a boy in a dress. Carla should be someone sexy, and filled out in all the right places.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:44pm

"Unusual Way" is one of my favorite showtunes, and I don't want it to be ruined in this movie.

[D2]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:46pm

3 possible French actresses in their 40s and 50s who would be interesting La Fleurs

Fanny Ardant
Julia Ormond
Juliette Binoche

[jv92]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:46pm

Hathaway won't ruin it should she be cast as Claudia. She has a lovely singing voice.
Updated On: 7/18/07 at 03:46 PM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:47pm

What about Cameron Diaz as Carla? I could see that, tho, accents are ot her strong suit.