Nine Casting- Page 6

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:27am

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?

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:31am

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

Yeah, I agree. She needs to do something unpredicatble and risky again. It's been way too long.

I wish I could think of a real "Frenchy" to play this part... or at least a good European choice.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:32am

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


OH! I KNOW!


MADONNA!!!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:38am

Madonna---Oy!

Streep---They couldn't clear her schedule until 2011, most likely.

Close? mmmmmmMaybe...

Now I keep thinking this needs to stay European to work.

Get Grace Jones to a screen test quick!

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:55am

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.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:05am

I was kidding about Madonna.


And, Foa, I agree. Hathaway would be an inspired Claudia, young and aloof. But no one older. Definitely not Zeta-Jones. She's too powerful.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:06am

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

Since she was an Oscar noimnee.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:12am

americanboy, I'm not really on the Hathaway bandwagon. I've just never found her sexy. She's pretty. But, I just can't see her being Guido's muse.

As most people know Benanti, in my mind, is just perfect for the role. But, I'm also realistic and I know she wouldn't get it up against these huge Hollywood actresses. And, it's a shame. I think she's got that gorgeous European look and, in the revival, completely oozed sex appeal.

Personally I can't really think of a Hollywood actress I could see in the part. I'd much rather them go with an unknown or, even better, a budding Italian film star. I mean, we need SOME Italians in this film, besides Loren.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:27am

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.

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

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:20pm

I know I keep harping back to the original film 8 1/2, but as it turns out Anouk Aimee was 31 when she played Luisa - the same age as Marion Cotillard. And the physical resemblence is defintely there. I'm prettey sure Cotillard is being considered for Luisa.

I think if they were to cast this along my earlier idea of out there eccentric entertainers and not just movie stars, there would be something for Madonna in this movie - maybe Stephanie.

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 - as much as I do really like her. She's a more interesting idea than Streep or Binoche to me though. She just doesn't have the firey energy that I think the character and the song need to have.
Marion Cotillard

Anouk Aimee

(I still think Marshall needs to beg Aimee to be in NINE, somewhere...)



Updated On: 8/25/07 at 12:20 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:30pm

"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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:32pm

MB---I would love it if Aimee made a memorable cameo somewhere. What about in the "Casanova" section?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:32pm

She really does look like Anouk Aimee. Its scary.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:37pm

What about Jacqueline Bisset for Liliane?

Updated On: 8/25/07 at 12:37 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:49pm

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.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:59pm

Claudia Cardinale (Claudia in 8 1/2)


Penelope Cruz

Please, Mr. Marshall.... :)

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:03pm

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.)

[jewishboy]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:05pm

All I have to say to that MB is WOW.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:13pm

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

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:15pm

I don't know how this would work, and don't eat me alive, but I'm looking up a few French actresses I know for Liliane. I don't know if she can do the camp, but what about Sophie Marceau? She's 41, so she's not too young. And she's French. Thoughts?

A photo, though I don't know how current -
Updated On: 8/25/07 at 01:15 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:16pm

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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:18pm

If Sophie Marceau can sing and speak English clearly enough, I would be in heaven if she played Liliane!

There would be an added dimension of sexual tension between her and Guido that would be GREAT, since she's so damn beautiful.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:21pm

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).

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:29pm

I just don't see Cruz as Claudia at all.

She's too mopey and pouty to be anybody's muse. She's missing an ethereal quality for Claudia.

At least Zeta-Jones can play that.

Zeta-Jones looks like she should be admired on a pedestal.

Cruz looks like she should be tangled in his sheets.

Updated On: 8/25/07 at 01:29 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:31pm

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