Zeta-Jones Drops Out of Marshall's NINE Adaptation

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 9:39am

"The strong-willed actress won't be in the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical - allegedly because director Rob Marshall wouldn't give in to her demand to beef up her role.

Zeta-Jones was attached to play Claudia, the alluring muse of skirt-chasing director Guido Contini in the latest incarnation of Federico Fellini's 1963 classic, "8½."

She was due to join an impressive cast: Javier Bardem as Guido, Sophia Loren as Guido's mother, Penelope Cruz as his mistress Carla, and Marion Cotillard as Luisa Contini. (Katie Holmes reportedly was heartbroken when Marshall turned her down for a part.)

Despite the luster of her co-stars, sources say Zeta-Jones hoped that Marshall would make Claudia a little more prominent than she'd been in Fellini's movie (where she was played by Claudia Cardinale) and on Broadway.

"Catherine asked if [writer] Michael Tolkin could enlarge her part," claims a source....

Marshall is said to have politely told her the script couldn't be changed so dramatically. "It's an ensemble story," says a source. "It always has been.""

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/11/19/2007-11-19_nine_role_apparently_not_catherine_zetaj.html

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 9:49am

Ah, that's a shame.

But this gives them a chance to cast someone a little more appropriate.

Marshall is said to be looking for a slightly younger actress to play Claudia. Among those under consideration: Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, Keira Knightley and Kate Hudson.

Interesting. Liv Tyler appeals to me.

...But she felt she'd done the same sort of role in 'Chicago.' The script wasn't an issue."

Oh...kay. Did she read the script? How does Claudia compare with Velma?

Updated On: 11/19/07 at 09:49 AM

[nygrl23]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:10am

*sends Rob Marshall a headshot*

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:40am

That's a shame. She would have been a real draw in the movie.

Of the ones on that short list, Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly are too young for Claudia. Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler are intriguing choices, and Gwyneth seems too "white bread" for a supposedly Italian cast. It's like putting Julie Andrews in it.

Updated On: 11/19/07 at 10:40 AM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:42am

You wanna talk about White Bread casting, you should rent House of the Spirits some time.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:45am

LOL! Yeah, I saw that one in the movie theatre, and I agree.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:45am

Well, so much for Marshall giving Zeta Jones her pick of any part for the movie! I actually was never crazy about the idea of Jones as Claudia. I STILL wish they would give Cruz Claudia and cast somebody else as Carla, but I digress.

I agree with Best12 - that seems like a pretty palid list of choices for Claudia - at least how I see the role. Portman makes the most sense of the group. Paltrow should be in a movie musical someday, but probably not NINE. And a few of the women on that list don't sing.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:48am

"LOL! Yeah, I saw that one in the movie theatre, and I agree."

Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Winona Ryder AND Teri Polo playing Latinos. Are you freakin' kidding me?!

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:48am

He did give her her pick of any part in the movie... just not the opportunity to change one of the ones already in it.

Adapting the roles for the actors is one thing... enhancing, beefing up, and skewing the ensemble balance and the story is another.

Updated On: 11/19/07 at 10:48 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 10:58am

Well, the whole thing is silly than - why would Zeta Jones have taken that part knowing its one of the smaller roles in the musical? Did she just really like the song?

I think Marshall so far is assembling a fascinating cast; I'm sort of intrigued that the largest female role in the film is being played by somebody most film audiences have never heard of - obviously they are going for an aesthetic over financial draw at the box office.

Marion Coitillard could just as easily have played Claudia and Jones, Luisa, if they wanted more box office balance, so its fascinating the direction he's going in.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:03am

"Well, the whole thing is silly than - why would Zeta Jones have taken that part knowing its one of the smaller roles in the musical? Did she just really like the song?"

MB--That's exactly what she did with Chicago. She wanted to sing "All That Jazz" and thought Velma was the lead. It was only after contracts had been signed and sealed that she realized Roxie was the focus of the film, not Velma. She wasn't happy. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not.

Talent? Sure!

Brains? ...

[zoran912]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:09am

In all fairness, Velma does a lot more in the stage version of Chicago than in the film.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:12am

Has Ms. Jones never heard of reading a script before accepting a role? Wait. I've seen some of her recent films...she doesn't.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:15am

In all fairness, Velma does a lot more in the stage version of Chicago than in the film.


- Velma does have more numbers in the stage show. But in the film Velma actually gets to take the stand with her whole Roxie's diary scheme, which isn't in the stage show.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:18am

You know, Mr. Marshall, I'm always available...

Anyway, I agree, Michael Bennett. This film seems like it's going to be truly fascinating, as far as casting goes. Can't wait.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:54am

Good for Marshall. If Zeta wanted a bigger part, she should write, produce and direct her own films. Didn't she learn anything from Randy Quaid?

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 12:03pm

Zeta-Jones is only 3 years older than Paltrow so apparently they really mean "slightly younger" if they cast her.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 12:04pm

Out of the options I can see Paltrow working the best. But, who knows if they were going to go older why not cast Nicole Kidman? Or do people think she is too rigid? Maybe Laura Benanti will get another chance...
Updated On: 11/19/07 at 12:04 PM

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/20/07 at 10:34am

Amy Adams mentioned in an interview on thehotblog.com that she auditioned for the role.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/20/07 at 11:49am

I did "Cabaret" with Natalie when we were teenagers at Stagedoor Manor. She played Sally. She can sing, although I imagine (rather, hope) she's gotten better since then.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/20/07 at 12:39pm

Let Amy Adams (the commedienne) play Carla and make Cruz (the siren) play Claudia.

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 11/20/07 at 12:54pm

Wow... it's a shame, she would have been a draw. Actually it's more stupid then a shame.

I don't know enough about the show to start dream casting.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/20/07 at 1:11pm

Oh Catherine **tear**

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 2:38pm

Has there been any talk yet about who's going to replace her? Paging Michael Bennett.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 2:40pm

I'm guessing they are mostly concerned about the script right now. Marshall brought Anthony Manghella in to doctor it. I just hope it actually happens and it doesn't stay in some limbo state. I wanna see this film badly.