Nine (theatre)/Trivia

All-Star Cast: The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson and... Stacy Ferguson of the Black Eyed Peas (aka Fergie). The first six are Oscar winners. Didn't stop most critics from panning it.
- The 2003 revival also had Antonio Banderas, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jane Krakowski and Chita Rivera.
Awesome, Dear Boy: The reason Daniel Day Lewis took the role. He had been hoping to take a break after his previous film, and producers never believed he would accept it.
Dawson Casting: Subverted. Guido in the original show is angsting about turning forty. Daniel Day Lewis was fifty at the time, so they aged Guido up by ten years. It also adds another layer to his marriage to Luisa, given the fifteen year difference between Lewis and Marion Cotillard.
Dyeing for Your Art: Both Fergie and Penelope Cruz were required to gain seventeen pounds for the film.
Method Acting: Daniel Day Lewis learned Italian and frequently spoke it on set for the role. He also had his dressing room designed like a 1960's director's office.
The Other Marty: Javier Bardem was cast as Gudio in the film. But he dropped out due to exhaustion, and Daniel Day Lewis was cast instead.
What Could Have Been:
- The part of Claudia was offered to Catherine Zeta Jones. Not liking how small the role was, she asked for it to be expanded. When the director refused, Nicole Kidman was cast instead. Anne Hathaway auditioned too but was turned down for being too young.
- Barbara Streisand was strongly considered for the part of Lilli. Ultimately it went to Dame Judi Dench.
- Katie Holmes lobbied hard for the part of Luisa, which eventually went to Marion Cotillard.
- Rob Marshall pushed for Marion Cotillard to get a Best Actress Oscar nomination rather than Supporting Actress, not wanting her to get in the way of Penelope Cruz. Cotillard didn't get any nominations, and Cruz was up for Best Supporting Actress.