One Leaves 'Nine': Javier Bardem Bows Out

Citing a hectic schedule of filming and publicity that culminated with countless red carpet miles walked this past awards season, Javier Bardem has stepped out of the lead role of the highly anticipated musical, Nine, which will be directed by Chicago's Rob Marshall.

Variety indicates that the cast of Nine will still feature Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren, so you've got to ask yourself, what gives, Bardem?

I can personally attest to his love of the project, however. When we spoke for No Country for Old Men, not only did the subject of Nine come up and not only was he incredibly excited to talk about it, but he also "practiced" for the role by singing in the halls of the Four Seasons hotel for all to hear. Seriously, anywhere you went that morning, you'd hear Javier Bardem singing showtunes.

He was signed on to play fictional movie director Guido Contini, who's trying to juggle his professional life and his personal life, which means he has lots of women issues.

If the setup sounds familiar, it's inspired by the Fellini classic, 8 1/2, hence the title, and you can include Nine among those films uprooted by the writers' strike. The script needed a little brushing up at the end of last year, when everyone was in place to start working on the film. Fast forward to the present and Bardem's people say he might take up to a year off to rest.

On the one hand, taking a lot of time off can help Bardem capitalize on his Oscar; freeing his schedule will surely let him pick and choose what he wants to do next. On the other hand, I think he's really going to regret skipping out on this musical. I have a hard time thinking a better role would come along for him anytime soon.