Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York) is set to star in Rob Marshall’s musical ‘Nine’, alongside Penelope Cruz (Sahara, Vanilla Sky), Kate Hudson (The Skeleton Key), Nicole Kidman (The Golden Compass), Sophia Loren (Between Strangers, Soleil) and Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal, Iris).
The Wicklow-based actor replaces Javier Barden (No Country for Old Men), who dropped out of the project due to exhaustion. Grammy award winning singer Fergie is also in final talks to play the role of Saraghina, a lusty woman who introduces Guido (Day-Lewis) to the world of sexuality. The singer previously had a small role in the Weinstein Co.’s ‘Grindhouse’.
The film, produced by the Weinstein Co. and Relativity Media, follows the story of famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) who experiences personal and creative crisis while trying to balance all the women in his life. Marshall’s previous directing credits include ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and the musical ‘Chicago’.
The original stage musical was inspired by the Federico Fellini film ‘8½' with the screenplay adapted by Michael Tolkein and the late Oscar winning director Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, Cold Mountain). Music and lyrics are by Maury Yeston, composer and lyricist for the original 1982 Tony Award winning Broadway production.
The film is being produced by Marc Platt, with Marshall and John DeLuca also involved in producing capacities.
Shooting starts in October in the U.K.
