Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE- Page 6

[C is for Company]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#125

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:37am

All I have to go by is the OBC, but judging the score from that, it is beautiful. What talent and good music to hear. I'm listening to it right now. Check your library for it too if you aren't so convinced yet to buy it.

[mattonstage]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#126

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:38am

What makes Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jane Krakowski more Italian than Hugh Jackman or Ewan McGregor? With the right hair, make-up and accent, I think Hugh or Ewan would be great Guidos.

I would love to see either Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Hupert or Fanny Ardant as the producer.

I killed the boss, you don't think they're gonna fire me over a thing like that!!!!

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#127

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:45am

Nothing does. I wasn't saying that Cruz, Banderas, Jackman, or McGregor are the ONLY ones that don't look Italian.

I'm saying in GENERAL.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#128

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:55am

For the record - the London concert version is the only cast recording I can listen to all the way through - though I loved the revival live, I can't handle Banderas and Krakowski's odd vocal chewing on the disc, and the singing on the OBC is just so erratic.

What will be kind of interesting, regarding casting is whether Marshall will cast the roles with any consideration to the way they were cast in the original film 8 1/2, which were often quite different than the way the roles were cast in the musical.

Regardless - I don't like the idea of Lanie Kazan or Queen Latifah. NINE really should have a very European feel to it. That's why Banderas and Cruz would work even though they aren't Italian.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#129

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:56am

The idea of Banderas and Cruz is giving me an erection already.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#130

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:58am

Cruz is actually the only current film star I can think of who IS Claudia Nardi. She really is ideal casting, IMO.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#131

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:03am

I agree totally. She's sexy, talented. The only problem might be her voice. I don't know that she could handle "Unusual Way."

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#132

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:05am

I wish I could remember what film it is she sang in. I remember thinking she was fine.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#133

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:08am

She is "fine" - she sang in VOLVER. The song "Volver" is very different from "Unusual Way." I can sing Happy Birthday wonderfully, but I can't handle "Bring Him Home."

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#134

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:20am

Actually, she was dubbed in VOLVER - not because she can't sing but because stylized dubbing is a popular technique in Spanish cinema. She has sung in other Spanish films though and her brother is a well known Spanish singer.

A VERY UNUSUAL WAY isn't BRING HIM HOME. Whoever sings it - if sung in the same context as the stage musical, its going to have to be incredibly understated and simple. Its not going to be a Barbra Streisand YENTL moment...

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#135

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:23am

I just meant that it's not easy.

I thought that it really WAS her singing? Huh...

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#136

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:29am

No VOLVER is a well known song over there performed by a popular Spanish singer. It would be sort of like if Catherine Zeta Jones were in a film here and suddenly broke into a song sung by Celine Dion. It sounds totally bizarre - but that is apparently an accepted and popular cinematic device in European cinema.

I agree its not an easy song to sing live but as we always say - she only has to whisper through it once in a recording studio - not sing it live ever...

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#137

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:34am

I knew the song Volver, but I was just under the impression that Cruz sang it.

And true.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[jewishboy]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#138

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:41am

I was not implying that I think Queen Latifah is a good choice, by any means, for I agree that it has to have a very European feel to it. Penelope Cruz would be ideal for Claudia (espicially with Banderas you can already see the chemistry between them) unless there is some young goergeous Italin actress we do not know of.

[somethingwicked]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#139

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:43am

Though she's obviously American, Scarlett Johansson has a very exotic look to her. Can anyone else see her as Carla?

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#140

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:51am

I think Scarlet looks VERY American. I can't see her as Carla.

They should film it in black and white.

With the right makeup, I think Lindsay Lohan could pull off Carla. It's the raspy voice thats the problem.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#141

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:55am

Im sure they will get a few American women in this - but I think they should go more with the popular "American" film stars who aren't really American route -- Kidman, Theron, etc.

I think Lindsay Lohan is really too young for Carla, as written. She's supposed to already be married - Lohan isn't even 21 yet. Otherwise, I do think she could probably do it.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#142

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:57am

What about Demi Moore as Luisa?

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#143

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:58am

I don't really think she reads as smart enough. Thats the role I'd give to Kidman.

[somethingwicked]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#144

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:04am

Michael Bennett, do you think there'll be a place for Zeta-Jones in this? I saw her as a Luisa, but her brazen sex appeal kind of lends her to Carla too (though I think they'll cast that role young.)

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#145

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:08am

See, I think Demi Moore could pull it off. Plus, she's HOT. All the women must be attractive.


Nicole Kidman is ALL wrong for it. ALL WRONG. The ice queen.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#146

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:09am

I kind of don't think Zeta Jones is ideal for any of the principle roles in this. She's not vulnerable enough for Claudia. She's too smart for Carla. She could maybe play Luisa - but its hard to imagine Zeta Jones as the somewhat neglected wife.

She'd be a great Stephanie Nacropolis actually = maybe as a cameo for her buddy Rob?

And Kidman hasn't been an ice queen Munk for at least a decade. She's been effectively vulnerable in half a dozen films and is able to pull off the sort of Hollywood dowdy that is as far as they will go in that direction. And Demi Moore doesn't sing. At all. Updated On: 4/13/07 at 02:09 AM

[munkustrap178]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#147

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:14am

She sang in BOBBY.

Kidman is too breathy - in both voice and persona. Luisa must be vulnerable, yes - but also strong at the same time.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[Michael Bennett]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#148

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:19am

Her voice in Bobby was sweetened with a voice double. She wasn't dubbed, but the studios obviously didn't think she was strong enough to do even that little bit of singing completely on her own. If you doubt Cruz being able to sing the role, I really don't think Moore could do it. Though frankly, I'd rather have an all star cast even if it meant having a little bit of dubbing.

But I also doubt anyone would buy Demi Moore trying to do the accent. Even if it were flawless - she'd get ripped to shreads - shes that kind of actress. Maybe she could have played Claudia in the day - but I just don't see her being a convincing Luisa.
Updated On: 4/13/07 at 02:19 AM

[somethingwicked]

re: Rob Marshall to direct film version of NINE#149

Posted: 4/13/07 at 2:24am

I think Kidman's pretty ideal for Luisa. We know she has the voice, and perhaps her underlying iciness can better relay why Guido pushes the character way? I got that feeling from Masterson's performance in the revival and thought it worked quite well (and would expect a similar tone if Kidman took on the role.)

I see Luisa as this stalwartly safe and conventional presence who's outshined by a bevy of exotic and enticing enchantresses like Carla and Claudia. You have to understand why Guido would stray from her but still be able to like him for doing it (and still care about his relationship with her too.) It's a fine line to invest in, but I see it being balanced with Kidman in the role.

I have to disagree that she can't be likeable, munk. While "Bewitched" was a piece of crap, I thought she succeeded in showing that she can still be warm and endearing (though she won't even need those traits for Luisa-- just an air of relatability, which shes got too.)

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 4/13/07 at 02:24 AM