CRUZ, COTILLARD, BARDEM LINING UP FOR 'NINE' (VAR)

By Nancy Vialatte

The cast for �Nine,� the Rob Marshall-directed project set up at the Weinstein Co., is coming together with Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Javier Bardem currently in talks to star in the musical. Variety reports that Marshall, who is looking to set his cast early to custom-fit the roles to the strengths of each performer, is also courting Sophia Loren and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Bardem just got the offer to play director Guido Contini, who experiences a creative and personal crisis as he tries to balance all the women in his life. That includes his wife, mistress, his film-star muse, agent and even his mother. Raul Julia originated the role onstage, and Antonio Banderas played it in the revival. The musical was inspired by the Fellini film "8 �."

Cruz is in talks to play Carla, Contini's mistress, while Cotillard is to play his wife, Louisa. Although they have not yet committed, Zeta-Jones is being courted to play the director's muse, and Loren his mother, who appears as a ghost.

Michael Tolkin is adapting the script, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, notes Variety. Mario Fratti adapted the original Broadway production; Arthur Kopit wrote the book. TWC acquired rights from Kopit and Yeston, who will be exec producers.

The combination of the sexy subject matter, and the fact Marshall is making his first musical since directing "Chicago" for Harvey Weinstein at Miramax, has made the four female roles enticing to many actresses with vocal and dancing ability.