Javier Bardem Drops Out of Film Version of Nine

Academy Award winner Javier Bardem will not play Guido Contini in the film version of the musical Nine, according to a report in Variety. The actor, who won this year’s Oscar for No Country for Old Men, cited exhaustion in withdrawing from the production, to be directed by Rob Marshall.

Based on the Federico Fellini film 8 1/2, the musical has a score by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit. It tells the story of a womanizing film director named Guido Contini who breaks down while making a new film.

Oscar winner Marion Cottilard will play Guido’s wife Luisa, Penelope Cruz will play his mistress Carla, and Sophia Loren will play his mother. In addition, the newspaper reports that Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench are in negotiations to join the cast.