First Look: Kate Hudson Sings and Dances in Nine

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Drama, Music, Musicals, Romance, Upcoming Releases, Videos

Back in 2001, Kate Hudson received an Oscar nomination for her role as a band groupie in Almost Famous. Now, the actress is getting her chance to do the singing…and dancing.

In Rob Marshall’s Nine, Hudson plays Stephanie, an American fashion journalist who comes into Guido Contini’s already busy life. Although Vogue writers aren’t usually the ones on the runway, Kate is given the opportunity to shine in a musical production called “Cinema Italiano.”

Nine - also starring Daniel Day-Lewis (Contini), Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Fergie, Sophia Lauren, Marion Cotillard and Judi Dench - will open wide on December 25.

Read More | Just Jared

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Sneak Peek: New Video Clip From Nine

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Casting, Filmmaking, Trailers, Upcoming Releases, Videos

Rob Marshall’s new film Nine is epic.

For one, the cast is impeccable: Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson. That’s 7 Oscar wins and 11 Oscar nominations between them!

Secondly, this video—spliced with rehearsal footage and new clips of the film—just makes me more excited for musical (that could be my Chicago and Moulin Rouge fangirl in me). Having been partially based on Federico Fellini’s autobiographical 8 1/2, I can’t see why it won’t please audiences.

I suppose we shall find out on its opening day, December 25th; in the meantime, enjoy the video!

Read More | LA Times

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Find the Weight on Penelope Cruz

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Musicals, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Let me start by saying that I agree with actress Nia Vardalos. Too much emphasis is placed on women and weight in Hollywood. But every once in a while, I come across a story like this and I can’t help but laugh.

During the production of Nine, several of the cast members were asked to gain weight for their roles in the musical. According to singer Fergie, it was suggested by director Rob Marshall that she and Penelope Cruz each add on 17 pounds. “We were eating our brains out. We ordered everything fried and full of fat and salty,” she told Allure magazine.

While it’s easy to see from the trailer that the Black Eye Peas performer did reach at least part of her goal (I highly doubt that was 17 pounds), I’ve been struggling to see - from any angle - what the Oscar-winner put on. Can anyone help me?

Read More | Us Magazine

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First Look: Daniel Day-Lewis and All His Women in Nine Trailer

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Musicals, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

What would Daniel Day-Lewis do to get past his Academy Award-winning role as Daniel Plainview? He’d move on with a bevy of women.

In Nine, the There Will Be Blood star trades in the oil industry for a life behind the camera. Daniel plays Guido Contini, a Venice director who struggles to complete his film while handling all the women in his life. It’s a part that was once given to Javier Bardem.

Click to continue reading First Look: Daniel Day-Lewis and All His Women in Nine Trailer

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Getting Into Character: Penelope Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis in Nine

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Drama, Musicals, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a snapshot of Penelope Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis in Nine, Rob Marshall’s (Chicago) latest contribution to the musical genre.

In the movie, Daniel plays a director (Guido Contini) who has to deal with the many women - a wife, a mistress, a deceased mother, a muse - in his life. The Broadway adaptation also features Nicole Kidman, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench and Sophia Loren in the supporting roles.

The Weinstein Company production is scheduled for release sometime in 2009.

Read More | Bauer-Griffin

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Casting Corner: Tobey Maguire, Fergie, Michael Vartan

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Universal, Weinstein Company, Drama, Musicals, Period, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

While the Spider-Man execs keep themselves busy with talk about a fourth installment, Tobey Maguire is preparing to act in less-flashy fare.

For his next project, Maguire will reteam with director Gary Ross for another period piece. (The two previously worked together on both Pleasantville and Seabiscuit.) In The Crusaders, Tobey will play Jack Greenberg, a lawyer who was involved in 1954’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.

The film, an adaptation of Greenberg’s actual memoirs, will be written by Danny Strong - a recent nominee for his work on HBO’s Recount.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Tobey Maguire, Fergie, Michael Vartan

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Casting Corner: Ed Helms, Kate Hudson, Woody Harrelson

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Musicals, Science Fiction, Comedy, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Assuming negotiations end well, Ed Helms will be temporarily setting aside his stapler to star in a new Todd Phillips (School for Scoundrels) film. The role would be The Office‘s star first lead in a motion picture.

In Hangover, Helms and Bradley Cooper (Alias) will play two of three friends who lose a groom-to-be during a Vegas bachelor party-outing. No actor has yet been cast as the third bud.

Although a release date hasn’t been announced, the comedy is currently entering pre-production. In the meantime, fans of Helms should hurry up to see Meet Dave before it disappears from theaters.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Ed Helms, Kate Hudson, Woody Harrelson

Read More | MTV Movies

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Keira Knightley Signs on to Fair Lady Remake

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Classics, Family, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Casting, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

Sexy, sophisticated Atonement star Keira Knightley has already began attending singing lessons to prepare for her role in the upcoming My Fair Lady remake.

Producers Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Duncan Kenworthy (Notting Hill, Love Actually) are more than excited over Knightley inking the deal, as she was their ideal actress for Audrey Hepburn’s famous role. The pair are crossing their fingers to get their other ideal actor, Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, on board to play opposite of Knightley. While the thought of the There Will Be Blood star taking on a musical role sounds unheard of, the fact that he currently is considering a movie version of Nine with Nicole Kidman says otherwise. That would be an adorable pairing, no?

Click to continue reading Keira Knightley Signs on to Fair Lady Remake

Read More | Telegraph

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