Wednesday
14May2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 4:02PM
Out goes the Best Supporting Actor, in comes the Best Actor? Late last month,
Javier Bardem dropped a bomb on the upcoming musical
Nine, which will be based
on
Federico Fellini's masterpiece
8 1/2. After being cast as a film director who
examines the struggles in his career and personal life while trying to balance
work with all the women in his life, his wife, mother, mistress, and others, Bardem backed out, citing a need to recharge his batteries.
Now it looks like
Daniel Day-Lewis
wants the role,
according to Variety, although The Weinstein Company says, "Any
of the names being thrown around is pure conjecture and when we're ready to make
an announcement we'll let you know."
It would be a stroke of mad genius for Day-Lewis to star in
Nine. The
enigmatic two-time Oscar winner is notorious for disappearing for years on end,
but this would put him back in a very large spotlight in 2009. The film is set
to go into production this fall with
Penelope Cruz,
Marion Cotillard,
Sophia Loren,
Nicole Kidman and
Judi Dench reportedly locked in.
Can Day-Lewis sing? Because I know at the very least Cotillard and Kidman are
terrific vocalists, and Cruz acquitted herself just fine singing a number in
Volver a couple years ago.
One thing's for sure: It's something Daniel Day-Lewis
hasn't tried, and that's usually the only thing that motivates his choices.
If you think that's too much talent for one movie, you haven't even looked
behind the camera yet.
Rob Marshall, whose
Chicago is the best example of a
modern adaptation of a stage musical, trouncing the likes of Rent and Phantom of
the Opera in terms of cinematic elements and entertainment value.
Michael Tolkin
wrote the screenplay, and he's probably best known for The Player, and the late
Anthony Minghella crafted a rewrite.
So if you're looking for a weak link, particularly if Daniel Day-Lewis signs
up, you're going to have look pretty hard.
Reader Comments (1)
Why can't they hire Day-Lewis to play Lion-O? Looking at those molds, I see a definite resemblance!
Thunder Cats Ho!!!