Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:25pm

"Rob Marshall will direct a feature version of the stage hit "Nine" for the Weinstein Co.

It marks the first time that Marshall and Harvey Weinstein have joined forces since "Chicago," the 2002 Miramax musical which won six Oscars, including best picture.

Pic will be produced by Marshall and John DeLuca through their Lucamar Productions banner. Marshall and DeLuca will also choreograph the film together, as they did "Chicago."

Marshall and TWC co-chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein are in the process of securing a screenwriter.

Music and lyrics are by Maury Yeston, composer and lyricist of the original 1982 Broadway production that was written by Arthur Kopit. TWC acquired rights from Kopit and Yeston, who'll be co-exec producers.
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"After I finished 'Memoirs of a Geisha,' I began looking intensely at (other projects), including remakes of movies, originals and Broadway musicals," Marshall said. " 'Nine' (has) a seamlessness between reality and fantasy that is built into the fabric of the material."

Marshall said he'd like to lock in his leading man and actresses early, and custom fit the script to them.

"This one needs to be created specifically for the talent involved, to suit their strenghts," he said.Casting will be a big issue here, and if commitments complicates things, it will be 2009."

In a statement, Weinstein called the musical, "A brilliant and timeless masterpiece. Teaming up with (Marshall) and the cast he's putting together will be something we've never experienced before."



http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117962975.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:26pm

Good choice.

How about Antonio?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:26pm

THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU!!

A THOUSAND TIMES, THANK YOU!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:27pm

I've always said that Almadovar should make the film. It definitely needs a visionary at the helm. Well, I certainly hope that Marshall will pay homage to Fellini's actual work and enlist the type of extraordinary A list ensemble of international film actresses that justifies making a movie of this!

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:28pm

Melanie as Luisa?

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:29pm

I'm excited to see how this turns out. Seems promising.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:29pm

Antonio would seem to be the obvious choice. He's still a fairly sellable "name" as far as the film industry is concerned (not A-List, but up there) and clearly he can handle all of the demands of the role as he proved when he did such a wonderful job with the role on Broadway. I hope they're smart and sign him.

[LoringsGay]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:31pm

They'd better bring back Antonio - but knowing STUPID Hollywood they'll pick someone like Zac Efron

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:31pm

lol.

[D2]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:32pm

If there is any Broadway musical that will absolutely work as a film it is NINE! I hope they don't f*** it up.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:33pm

I frankly, can't imagine NINE being green-lit without a reasonably solid film star already "attached."

If its not Banderas, I'm sure Weinstein/Marshall have somebody in mind and interested in playing Guido.

For the women - how about some combination of Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Catherine Denuve, Michelle Yeoh, etc.

The women are what are going to elevate this movie to must see status and give it any hope for box office success.

[LoringsGuy]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:33pm

Antonio would be a good choice. I think even "non-theatre" folks were aware of the buzz he created when he did the role on B'way because there seemed to be coverage about it everywhere.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:33pm

This is a terrible idea.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:33pm

Antonio is a big enough name to get this film made and I'm sure they'll get quite a few "A" List ladies to fill the other parts. With Jake Krakowski on 30 ROCK now, hopefully she can make it in there as well.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:33pm

Hopefully this'll be another great (and Oscar worthy) partnering of director Rob Marshall and screenwriter/director Bill Condon.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:35pm

If they are smart they will get a bigger name to play Karla than Krakowski...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:36pm

Madonna is clearing her schedule even as we type this.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:36pm

Based on the CD of the revival (my only exposure to this musical), I've never understood what is so great about NINE. I've listened to it a few times, and the music still hasn't struck much of a chord with me. Maybe this movie will change my mind!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:37pm

I've never seen the show or heard the CD (I will eventually buy it) but I have read the script and it seems like this could work really well if done right.

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:38pm

I wasn't really impressed with Krakowski. Mary Stuart Masterson, however, was wonderful. Though I doubt big enough for the film.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:38pm

Well NINE is based on Fellini who was a visual masterpiece - whatever Marshall's concept - the selling point will obviously be the visuals. The music has always been somewhat secondary to the look of the show.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:39pm

MSM would have been big enough a decade or so ago, but I doubt she'd be able to get the job now.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:39pm

I only own the OBC, did the revival make any significant changes? I'd hate for them to shortchange the material they use because of whatever version it may be.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:40pm

The revival cut "The Germans at the Spa".

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:42pm

Almadovar would have been perfect, but I guess that since his movies were produced by SA and distributed by Sony in the US he didn't have a working relationship with Weinstein and Mirimax.

But that being said, Memoirs of a Geisha was hardly a complete failure. It's wobbly tone was a function of adapting a very tough piece of material. Much of Marshall's work is actually wonderful.

With a more extroverted property, I bet he'll do a great job. And he learned from the start to get the best crative team together for his movies.


Updated On: 4/12/07 at 04:42 PM