Nine Casting- Page 3

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 8/21/07 at 11:33pm

This cast would be absolutely brilliant. So many talented people, which (hopefully) we contribute to the movie.


Marion Cotillard is one of the most talented actresses I have ever seen on screen. Her performance in La Vie En Rose gives me faith that she can pull anything off. The rest of the cast is fabulous as well, but thought I might as well chime in on my thoughts of Marion. She has said numerous times that if she weren't an actress, she would be a singer, so she has a background in music.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:09am

Thanks, I didn't know that about Cotillard. I haven't heard anything but raves about her performance in LA VIE EN ROSE and her look definitely seems right for NINE. I read on imdb.com she was on BIG FISH but I don't remember her role in that movie and I've seen it a few times.
I'm not sure I've ever seen Cruz do the kind of comedy I expect from Carla. She had some pretty funny moments in TODO SOBRE MI MADRE and VOLVER but not the kind of over-the-top comedy Morris and Krakowski both did so well. Though Cruz will be spectacular in the second half after she realizes Guido's not staying with her. If they keep "Simple," both Cruz and Jones would sell it so well.

[logan0215]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:26am

I'd love Cristine Rose (Momma Petrellie from Heroes) for Guido's mother or Liliane La Fleur, pending her singing ability.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 2:01am

My only issue with Cotillard's casting as Luisa is that she's only 30 years old.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 2:06am

Again, all my opinions on Cotillard are uninformed since I'm not familiar with her work but MichaelBennet does raise a very valid point. That's a little too young and fresh for Luisa.
I really do wonder if there's a special reason that all of the sudden they decided to go for a completely different direction for Claudia. Katie Holmes, Anne Hathaway, and Laura Benanti couldn't be more different from Catherine Z. Jones. Not complaining here, but still makes me wonder what made them change the concept.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 2:29am

I have to say, with a grain of salt (or perhaps wishful thinking) I think its entirely possible that all these women have been approached about appearing in the film, and that the press is making their own assumptions about what role they might be up for. As fun as this is - the article does just say they are "wooing" these stars. Thats pretty far away from a final contract.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 8:57am

Having seen LA VIE EN ROSE, I can say that Mme Cotillard can play just about any age, from early teens to late forties-looking-like-mid-eighties. She's more than capable of playing the role.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:22am

A few thoughts:

First of all..the whole " is Guido's mother a ghost?" thing......She is definitely dead at the end of the show, when she has the whole conversation with Guido as he's contemplating suicide. She tells him he's going to die and but it's not his time yet, and that these things can't be changed here. She also has a line "that's the news from above".

Secondly, I personally don't see Catherine Zeta Jones as Claudia, simply because I don't want to see the vocal part lowered. I think one of the fabulous things about this score is that each of the women are so different and have such variety, that to take all the vocal parts down to the mid-range alto area would eliminate one of their unique traits. I felt the same way when it was rumored that Nicole Kidman would play Luisa......In my mind "My Husband Makes Movies" or "Be On Your Own" just aren't as effective in a higher key. They're almost like opera stereotypes. Luisa, the reliable wife as the alto. Claudia, the young beautiful ingenue as the soprano, and Carla the mistress as the coloratura diva.
Updated On: 8/22/07 at 09:22 AM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:28pm

I'd hold off on thinking this is the official cast just yet.

None of the people in the Variety article (including those reported to have been offered their respective roles) have been cast.

Maury Yeston has final casting approval in addition to a producing credit, and none of the people mentioned in the story have even been in to sing for him (though Javier Bardem is scheduled to be seen this week.) In fact, Yeston hadn't even heard about one of the people reported to have been cast even being in the running for the film.

The Variety story also jumbled some roles and linked a certain actress to a part she's not even being considered for (though Rob Marshall is desperately trying to get that person in the movie,) so I caution everyone to take this story as nothing but further speculation.

Updated On: 8/22/07 at 03:28 PM

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:48pm

I don't know, how about an ITALIAN actor? I know, its a stretch.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 4:14pm

There is video of Marion singing on a French TV show with French singer Jenifer, the song 'Milord' by Edith Piaf. I don't think she sounds bad at all. Piaf's music is also a very specific style of singing, so who knows what she could do with something else.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 5:47pm

bump.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:30pm

The Variety story also jumbled some roles and linked a certain actress to a part she's not even being considered for (though Rob Marshall is desperately trying to get that person in the movie,)

Guessing that's Cruz as Carla?

[mattonstage]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 10:02pm

I'm embarrassed to say I've never seen Penelope Cruz act in Spanish, but I feel I should catch up, because she can't act in English.
I haven't been thrilled with the casting of any of the recent musicals, at first, but I've been pleasantly surprised all around, so I'm hoping this is the same.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 11:28pm

I may be biased but in my mind the Penelope Cruz issue is not as easy as she can act in Spanish but she can't act in English.
I just think that the kind of image directors and whoever is attached to her in Hollywood try to give her is completely wrong. She's not Salma Hayek (who I think is a fantastic actress, by the way) and I think that's what Hollywood has try to do with her to no avail. She's a great actress when she is given the right material and the right director but in America they have no idea what to do with her. Judging from Marshall's previous work and the material in NINE I can tell that this project is actually suit for her.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 12:33am

Cruz should have won the Oscar last year for VOVLER. She's an exquisite actress...under the right circumstances. NINE could be a major breakthrough for her, in terms of English films. Funny to be saying that as her career here is so established - but truly.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 12:43am

Agreed, she definitely should have won last year, but it was so predictable that she was gonna lose. You know, I was kinda warming up to the idea of Renee as Carla, but I'm glad that they are looking at more European choices. I also agree that Marshall wants to detach himself not only from the recent revival, but probably from the Tune production also. I haven't seen La Vie En Rose (I always mix it up with the other French movie Ma Vie En Rose), but that actress sounds like an inspired choice.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 12:53am

MichaelBennett, couldn't agree more. To me it was all about Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz. She gave such an understated yet enthralling performance in VOLVER. And while break-through may not be the right word (as you said she has an established career), I think this could steer her career in the right direction if indeed she plays one of the roles in the film.
I couldn't warm up to the idea of Renee singing "A Call from the Vatican" or "Simple" (even if I think the latter will be cut) so I'm quite glad her name was nowhere to be found in the article, I hope it remains that way.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 11:18am

Here are my choices for Saraghina and Stephanie Necrophorus:

SARAGHINA:





STEPHANIE NECROPHORUS:

[Mojojo5]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 12:23pm

I think Patti LuPone would be far too intense as Saraghina. She would probably have been a great Louisa in the 90s or a hilariously over-the-top Mama Maddelena (are we to assume "Germans at the Spa" shall be cut from the movie) but I would be frightened for little Guido to lose his virginity to Patti Lu. Sara Ramirez would be my ideal choice but I'm sure the Grey's Anatomy juggernaut would not let her out for that long. As long as Queen Latifah isn't cast as Saraghina I'll be fine with whomever.

Z.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 12:44pm

I think LuPone would be fierce as Saraghina, she certainly has it in her, IMO.
Isn't Sara Ramirez too young for Saraghina? I'd love to see her in this film and her "Be Italian" would stop the show--or the movie, anyways. How come GREY'S ANATOMY has some of the best actors? Not only do they have Ramirez but they have the brilliant Chandra Wilson whom I'd love to see play Mrs.Muller in the film adaptation of DOUBT. Oh well, I still love me some GREY'S.
Besty, Nia Vardalos as Stephanie Necrophorus? Really? I see Necrophorus as a very sexy sort of imposing presence. I'd love to see Donna Murphy in that role actually or even Demi Moore who I believe auditioned for Luisa.

[Mojojo5]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 1:11pm

Maybe it's just me trying to justify a grown woman basically molesting a child but I've always pictured Saraghina as early 30s... old enough to teach youths the wicked/fabulous ways of the world but young enough where it doesn't seem too creepy. I will admit, Patti's "Be Italian" would be great though. Can we just hope Rob Marshall puts the tamborines back into the tarantella?

Demi would be a hoot as Stephanie. There are so many great small roles for women, I hope Marshall is able to get as many names to make cameos. Do we know if they are still trying to woo Dame Judi Dench to play Lilliane LeFleur? She just seems so wrong for the part (past experience as the toast of Mayfair, Sally Bowles notwithstanding). Fanny Ardent would be my ideal choice. Catherine Denueve would be loverly as well but she might be a little too chilly for Lilliane.

Z.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 1:13pm

I love Nia, ray! I think she'd be great for this, yes. Imposing, "hard" (read: ball-busting), funny, "extreme" and I find her sexy! My alternate choice would be Marissa Tomei. She just wouldn't be as "in command" of Guido. More of a bitch on wheels, rather than someone who could actually take him DOWN.

And as far as LuPone, can we please have someone other than Loren that is at LEAST of Italian decent. Enough with Sara Ramiez! LuPone would add the haggard eccentricity, the theatrical sexiness... the world-weariness... with a face right out of a Felini film. And she'd sing the everlovin' sh*t out of Be Italian. Plus, she has a (small but highly respectable) film resume.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 2:05pm

LuPone is totally wrong for Saraghina. She's also about 25 years too old for the role.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 3:19pm

Besty, I love Nia too, don't get me wrong (Toni Collette and Nia Vardalos singing showtunes in CONNIE AND CARLA was a dream come true) but I cannot picture her as the critic turned producer who basically wants to ruin Guido's career. I don't see her being as much of a threat when she sings "The trouble with Contini..." section of "Folies Bergeres" (assuming the number is still there and that Necrophorus' section is still in). I can see why you'd suggest her though because Stephanie Necrophorus is a character that's so pretentious and obnoxious that you just have to laugh at her which Vardalos would play to a T. Still can't see it though.
Marissa Tomei should play Carla, she's beyond ideal for that part. One of the few actress I think could beautifully nail both of Carla's numbers.
I would really love to see at least a stage star like LuPone or Donna Murphy or Jane Krakowski (would've been the happiest if she had been asked to reprise her Tony-winning turn as Carla) somewhere in this movie.
It'd be great if Marshall did another nod to the original production like he did in both ANNIE and CHICAGO. Perhaps we'll get Liliane Montevecchi somewhere in the film? (I believe she's the only one of the cast who has some kind of film career and is...well...alive).