Nine Casting — Page 6

Foster has been giving some pretty flat performances lately. She needs something to boost her career, although I don't think this is it.


Julianne Moore?

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I know. Streep is pretty much the only woman I can think of. And she's not European.


OH! I KNOW!


MADONNA!!!!

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I'm hoping what was said about this press release is true. I hope it's just speculation as to who is getting what parts.

I always envisoned Claudia as this bright, young, gorgeous, aloof woman that Guido lusts after. Having Claudia be older than Luisa makes no sense to me.

I mean, it could play into the whole Saraghina alley, where Guido wants the older woman. But, I just don't see it.

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"I'm sorry, but since when is Penelope Cruz not a movie star?"

Since she was an Oscar noimnee.

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You know what started to dawn on me?

What if Variety has the advance casting wrong and Marion Cotillard (a French actress/singer!) is actually negotiating for Liliane La Fleur and NOT Luisa Contini?

Okay, aside from being French, she's really not right for that part. She's a much better Luisa. And Luisa doesn't have to be Italian for any particular reason. She's a woman who used to be "an actress with dreams and a life of her own," but gave it all up for Guido. I think Cotillard is a great choice, even if she's a bit too young for it. She should be late-30s herself. But they could easily change the lyrics from "20 years ago" to "many years ago" without a hitch.

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Updated On: 8/25/07 at 11:27 AM

"Jodie Foster has all the qualities for Lilianne - she's striking, she speaks french, she's intelligent and strong, and she actually sings plenty well enough to do the song. I'm just not feeling it..."

Exactly. That's why I had a change of heart, after my initial excitement over the idea. I wish she'd try something risky again though, even if it's not Liliane La Fleur.

You know what's so great about Cotillard for Luisa is her eyes! They have a sadness and "history" in them that is perfect for her character.

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She really does look like Anouk Aimee. Its scary.

Really loving those pictures of Cotillard. She certainly has the look down and from what I've read she's a sublime actress.
Jodie Foster as Liliane??? I see it, I very much see it...until I imagine Foster in the big campy "Folies Bergeres." Can she sell it? This is a number that starts with the slow "le cinema today's in a crisis" and ends in a huge, over the top song and dance sequence. I can see Foster nailing the beginning but I can't see her at all in the later parts of the number. It's sad when someone suggests an actress that could be interesting in these roles but that we know will not be cast in the movie...
Re Claudia's age. I think age is beyond Claudia. She should be a sort of ageless character, IMO. I disagree that she should look fresh and young. Don't forget Claudia has been in the business for years, having been part of many of Guido's films in the past. That's why even if the idea of Anne Hathaway in the role appealed to me, she's completely wrong for the part as written in the show. Claudia should be stunning but in my mind it should also be clear that she is a seasoned actress who has been through different situations in the business because of Guido. Also don't forget she ends up moving in with a 53 year old man by the end of the show, this could easily be done away with in the film, but I think it should still inform Marshall's thoughts on casting the role.

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Yeah, I think Cruz would much rather see Cruz as Claudia.


(And I am not totally against Zellweger as Carla, but I guess everyone else is.)

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I'm not that opposed to Zelwegger playing Carla either (again based on the film 8 1/2). Now, I realize that if she is not in the Krakowski or Anita Morris mode but than, neither was Sandra Milo in the original film who was almost grotesque (and probably not coincidentally was often filmed in ways that echoed Fellini's vision of Saraghina).
Sandra Milo (Carla in 8 1/2) with Marcello Mastroianni (yes Javier Bardam actually resembles him too)
Zelwegger in 8 1/2 period garb

Updated On: 8/25/07 at 01:13 PM

I still like Zeta-Jones for Claudia. She is "seasoned movie star" personified, completely glamorous and looks like she could be Guido's muse, his friend, his confidant, not to mention his former lover that he still can't get over.

Cruz is too young and "vixeny" to be Claudia, IMO.

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Penelope Cruz is well into her thirties - I would hardly call that young and vixeny....

I agree with others that say Zeta Jones is too old for Claudia. Even with the age she admits to (she is supposedly at least five years older than she admits) Zeta is older than Bardham.

I'd have no problem with Jones playing Carla though (in Anita Morris mode).

Let Zeta Jones play Liliane. She'd at least have fire. Even if they sing, Marceau, Bisset, etc. I don't believe have the eccentric qualities needed to carry the character's song.

Best12 - out of curiosity, when was the last time you saw 8 1/2