‘Nine’ Minus One Bardem

After terrifying American audiences in one of the highest acclaimed screen performances last year as the unforgettably inhuman Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men), it looked like Javier Bardem was going to redeem himself as the slightly more relatable, reluctant and confused (okay, and kinda womanizing) star of the screen version of Nine.  But according to Variety, Bardem has pulled out of the project in need of a hiatus following the hustle and buzz from the awards season and his recent work.

The pic, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago) and being handled by The Weinstein Company, is a screen adaptation of the musical inspired by the Fellini classic 8 1/2.  Guido Contini, (originally Fellini’s Guido Anselmi) is a film director infamously based off of the Fellini himself, who struggles to find peace and coherence with his professional life and his personal life, especially in regards to the plethora of relationships he juggles with various women.  No further announcement have been made regarding likely candidates to take on the role.  He may be young, but this cinephile thinks that Gael Garcia Bernal has proven himself worthy to fill Bardem’s shoes on this one.

Sophia Loren will star as Guido’s mother, with Penelope Cruz as the director’s sexy mistress and Marion Cotillard as his wife.  Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are still in negotiations.   Premiering at Cannes, Bardem will appear with current girlfriend Cruz and Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen‘s next pic Vicky Christina Barcelona.