Why Wasn't Antonio Banderas Offered the Role of Guido Contini?

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:01am

After reviewing the proposed casting for the "Nine" movie, it begged the question, why wasn't the star of the recent Broadway revival offered the same role he portrayed on stage in the film? I think he has enough star power, especially beside Cruz and Zeta-Jones. Any thoughts?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:15am

Having never seen Banderas do the role on stage, but have listened to the recording. I thought he was miscast and the weakest one in the whole show ( he might have been better live, but i can't see how ).

And i am not sure he has that much box office pull any longer.

[morningglory]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:35am

I was wondering the same thing. He was wonderful on Broadway and was perfectly cast (JMHO). I was not really expecting him to be that good (just wanted to see him in person ) but, he surprised me. The entire Broadway cast was excellent.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:49am

He also looks older than 40.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:51am

Maybe he didn't want mainstream America to see him in a musical. People would think he's gay, and that would ruin whatever he had left of a career in Hollywood.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 7:12am

Antonio Banderas couldn't have been a better fit for Guido, IMO. Raul Julia is irreplaceable but Banderas definitely came quite close (and deserved the Tony that year).
When the film was first announced I thought he had anything but secured the role, apparently they're going for Bardem instead. We don't know if he was offered the role or not though. He may have turned it down or as MichaelBennett said in the other NINE thread, Marshall probably didn't want to have that connection with the stage production.

[me2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:37pm

It's simple. People are willing to pay $100 to see Banderas live, but they won't pay $10 to see him in a movie. Has he had a film hit anytime in the last five years?

Same with Fantasia. People won't spent $14 on her CD, but they'll gladly dish out $120 to see her perform in person. Of course, her CDs are very different from what caused her to win AI, and COLOR PURPLE is closer to what she performed on the show.

But it's still the same concept.
Broadway Blog: 50 Amazing Broadway Performers AND From the Mouth of Stephanie J. Block

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:43pm

I heard he wouldn't do it unless Melanie was offered a role as well. End of negototiations, enter the way hot Bardem.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:48pm

It's simple. People are willing to pay $100 to see Banderas live, but they won't pay $10 to see him in a movie. Has he had a film hit anytime in the last five years?

And they would pay to see Bardem???

[me2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:53pm

Well, they didn't pay to see Gerard butler either. :) But I think a "new talent" card surrounded by established people is a Hollywood trick. Example: Nikki Blonksy in HAIRSPRAY. Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum in PHANTOM (star: Minnie Driver). If I had time I could list more.

Again, how many movies has Banderas made in the past few years?
Broadway Blog: 50 Amazing Broadway Performers AND From the Mouth of Stephanie J. Block

[MaxVonMayerling2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:03pm

"I heard he wouldn't do it unless Melanie was offered a role as well."

YIKES!
What part should she play anyway ? Banderas mother?!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:26pm

You know, some how I don't think they were banking on the name Minnie Driver to sell Phantom and therefore felt the freedom to cast 'unknowns' in the other roles. Just a hunch.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:40pm

I was wondering the same and it could be also that he is working on another project.

[Wildcard]

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

The role could have been offered to him but maybe they couldn't agree financially? Besides, the cast isn't really final yet. Only "offers" have been made.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 2:44pm

"People would think he's gay, and that would ruin whatever he had left of a career in Hollywood."

Banderas has played gay characters on screen more than once. Didn't ruin his career whatsoever.

Updated On: 8/22/07 at 02:44 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:04pm

per IMDB, here's Banderas' last five years in film: I think there's only one real bomb in there: Ballistic v. Ecks. Other than Shrek, no huge hits.

Puss in Boots (2010) (announced) (voice) .... Puss in Boots
The Next Shrek (2010) (pre-production) .... Puss in Boots
Memoirs of Hadrian (200 (pre-production) (in talks) .... Hadrian
Sin City 2 (200 (pre-production) (rumored)
Shrek the Halls (2007) (TV) (filming) (voice) .... Puss in Boots
My Mom's New Boyfriend (2007) (post-production) .... Tommy


Shrek the Third (2007) (voice) .... Puss in Boots
... aka Shrek 3 (Singapore: English title) (USA: working title)
... aka The Third (USA: promotional abbreviation)
Bordertown (2006) .... Alfonso Diaz
Take the Lead (2006) .... Pierre Dulaine
The Legend of Zorro (2005) .... Zorro/Alejandro
... aka Z (USA: poster title)
Far Far Away Idol (2004) (V) (voice) .... Puss In Boots
Shrek 2 (2004) (voice) .... Puss In Boots
Imagining Argentina (2003) .... Carlos Rueda
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) (TV) .... Pancho Villa
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) .... El Mariachi
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) .... Gregorio Cortez
... aka Spy Kids 3: Game Over (USA: video title)
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) .... Agent Jeremiah Ecks
... aka Ballistic (Germany)
Frida (2002) .... David Alfaro Siqueiros
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002) .... Gregorio Cortez
... aka Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (USA: video box title)
Femme Fatale (2002) .... Nicolas Bardo
Original Sin (2001) .... Luis Antonio Vargas
... aka Péché originel (France)
Spy Kids (2001) .... Gregorio Cortez
The Body (2001) .... Father Matt Gutierrez
... aka Geheimnisvolle Grab, Das (Germany)

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:11pm

We were just discussing this issue last night. He was excellent in the revival and I am certain would be excellent in the film.
Updated On: 8/22/07 at 03:11 PM

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:16pm

Maybe he didn't want mainstream America to see him in a musical. People would think he's gay, and that would ruin whatever he had left of a career in Hollywood.

Along with what Mister Matt said, Banderas has also been in a movie musical before. Evita anybody?

[antonijan]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:33pm

Banderas would also undoubtedly look much better than any other 40 year olds out there :P

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:45pm

DMsquared2 has hit it on the head. EVITA? ANYBODY? No? There is your answer.

[zooxanthellae]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:47pm

yeah I didn't get that whole mainstream America would think he was gay thing either... cause like DMsquared2 said he already played Che in Evita...

[antonijan]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 3:53pm

Maybe he didn't want mainstream America to see him in a musical. People would think he's gay, and that would ruin whatever he had left of a career in Hollywood.

Wanna Be A Foster is projecting his homophobia to Antonio Banderas when it's clear it's not the issue.
Updated On: 8/22/07 at 03:53 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 4:00pm

Or is it just POSSIBLE he was joking? I don't know, just a thought.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 4:21pm

I totally forgot about the film version of Evita. But then, I usually do.

[WOSQ]

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

Everybody KNOWS he didn't get the role because he is married to Melanie Griffith....