It's Dame Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz, Marion "Piaf" Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Fergie, the Goddess Kidman and Goldie Hawn's daughter for Rob Marshall's film version of Nine.
If I weren't so excited for another big studio/big budget film musical I'd nitpick that this looks like a lost still from Chicago. But who can express reservation whilst trembling with actressexual fervor*? The best thing about Nine the stage musical (adapted from Federico Fellini's autobiofantastical 8½) is the circus of women surrounding film director Guido and even with Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini, the best thing about the movie will surely be this circle of divas.
Awards history:
Oscar speculation fanatics who aren't familiar with this musical should know that the show-stopping parts from the stage show belong to Cruz as Guido's horny mistress Carla (this was a TONY award winning role in the Broadway revival for the delicious Jane Krakowski) and Dench as legendary showgirl Liliane la Fleur (a TONY award winning role in the original production and a nominated role in the revival). Another reason why Cruz may be the one to watch: Carla gets not one but two of the show's best songs "A Call from the Vatican" and "Simple". Nicole Kidman plays Guido's actress muse Claudia. In a potential pop culture explosion she'll duet with the other Tom Cruise ex on "Simple". Kidman also gets the show's most haunting ballad "A Very Unusual Way". One final note: Oscar's obsession with long-suffering wives in the Supporting Actress category could put Marion Cotillard (Luisa Contini) into play as well. Fellini's 8½ was nominated for 6 Oscars but none for its cast.
Here's Antonio Banderas as Guido @ the Tony Awards and Chita Rivera as Liliane on Broadway. Just reimagine these numbers with Daniel Day-Lewis and Judi Dench
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*Among those who can nitpick are commenters at DListed. One of whom quips
This movie looks like its about a bunch of vampire hookers.It's not... but let's get that movie made too, mmmkay?
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Posts
31 comments:
I'm sorry....Fergie? Did I miss something?
God, that picture looks really bad, I would n't be suprised if this bombs. The film is a big departure from the musical in that the character that Dench plays has been changed and her character is now just the costume designer of Guido's film. On stage the character played by Hudson was a film reviewer and critic of Guido, but in the film she's a reporter for Vogue. And i think the role played by Nicole's character was originally younger as that character is basically the director's muse; an ingenue.
Everything about this project sounds great except for Fergie.
Can't wait to see this for Kidman alone.
anon -- I'm not sure about that last bit unless I'm remembering incorrectly. I've seen both 8 1/2 and the stage musical and I don't remember Claudia ever being portrayed "ingenue" like. Nicole seems like a perfect fit actually.
What a cast! Even if it should get the worst reviews, I'll still go and watch it! Just to see Nicole Kidman in a musical once more would be enough for me;)
la loren looks awesome.
nerver ever underestimate judi dench i feel she will be it's supp actress oscar nom as cruz will win this year and the role is very similar to the one in 9.
can we just call it right now? best supporting actress 2009: penelope cruz.
and jesus, fergie, have a little class. you're not at the gyno-no one here wants to see your london bridge. you must be at the wrong sound stage. i think you're looking for the vampire hooker film...
I'm not sure about that last bit unless I'm remembering incorrectly. I've seen both 8 1/2 and the stage musical and I don't remember Claudia ever being portrayed "ingenue" like. Nicole seems like a perfect fit actually.
You're probably right Nathaniel, the reason I thought the character was an ingenue is that they were originally looking at Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley etc. as possible candidates for Claudia, they were going for someone who would suitably be both young and pure. So when Nicole was cast I assume they changed it back again.
I never thought the day would come when I defended Fergie, but I think she's perfect for the Saraghina.
She was one of those mythical characters Fellini came up with based from his childhood memories, which were erotic in a perverse way.
She was a woman who pulled tricks for fun, so it's "appropriate" that Fergie looks like a creature the sea dragged in from hell.
Besides I can't think of another performer who is both voluptuously tacky, yet has a good singing voice.
Cannot wait. And Dench finally appearing in a big screen musical is just too dreamy to articulate. Her Send In The Clowns is definitive, and hot damn if she didn't give us a stunning Sally Bowles too.
Throw in Cruz and Kidman, and I'm officially salivating.
Then I notice Fergie.
Rob
All of those Oscar winners and nominees. I'm practically gasping for air over here. :)
I'll try to block the Fergie part out of my brain.
I'm hoping for the best. I trust Rob Marshall, and I adored "Chicago", so I'm there opening night.
I'm sorry.....Fergie?
Oh shoot, I just noticed Penelope and Nicole are in the same movie...awkward!
Ehh...I never liked NINE that much. This cast is wonderful enough to make me see it, but I'll keep the expectations low until further notice. Now, put Daniel Day Lewis in a movie version of URINETOWN...my expectations would be off the charts. Anyone else think it would be a great movie?
Why does it feel that Kate Hudson and Fergie don't belong to this picture????
Because their talent is questionable (although their appeal is undestandable -- in a guilty-pleasure, vaguely-trashy kind of way).
ugh - how unfair - kate hudson. blech.
So... Happy....
I have knowb about this film for a long time and it's really hard for me to wait THAT long! The director, the cast, the play, OMG! Kidman, Day Lewis and Dench are those I most want to see but the others (Fergie aside) are OK too.
Jim
I saw it live on broadway, and I don't really like this show. But Jane and Chita were totally amazing.
i'm looking forward to see what Rob will do with it. He might even make it more interesting than the original.
Fergie looks like an interesting choice btw
I think Fergie is a better choice than Kate Hudson. At least we know that Stacy Ferguson can sing. Of course, her style of music isn't to everyone's taste, but do we have any proof that Hudson can sing at all?
Nevertheless, this cast is just too good. If Penelope Cruz wins this year (and as of right now who's going to beat her?) then that'll be six Oscar winners! SIX. Yowza.
Looks pretty bad...
Not Australia bad, mind, but a bomb-in-the-making nonetheless.
here's the entire picture, Daniel Day-Lewis (sorta) included. Better quality too.
and here.
If gossip blogs were worth... something, they should be leaking behind the scenes conversations (I'd love to hear Pe and Nicole's specially), events, frienships/conflicts, etc, of movies like this one, rather than showing us the entire Katie Holmes wardrobe.
Iggy
I trust most of that cast (Fergie may be able to pull off her role, even if her brand of aesthetic disgust isn't similar), but I do not trust Rob Marshall. Any director that would unleash "Memoirs of a Geisha" does not respect themselves or their audience.
Also, I have not seen "Nine" performed, but Claudia is most certainly a symbol of the innocent and pure ingenue in "8 1/2" (at least, most importantly, in Guido's mind). She even floats in the film.
iggy -- you're so right. Cruz and kidman even share a big scene. There's got to be something worth reporting from this set
Nick m -- hmm. Perhaps my memory is shoddy. It has been a really long time since I saw the fellini
To everyone who doesn't care for the musical -- true it's uneven, but at least there are stellar moments within which is unfortunately more than most modern musicals can claim
No worries, Nat--now is the perfect time to refresh your memory by rewatching "8 1/2."
Fergie scares the heck out of me.
Wow, second comment du jour in a week!! I'm feeling ten feet higher, maybe I should reconsider giving up drugs. Just kidding. ;)
Iggy
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