Oscar-nominated screenwriter Michael Tolkin has been assigned to pen script for The Weinstein Co.'s film version of Broadway musical "Nine."
- Jul 18, 2007
AceShowbiz - Submitting another lauded behind-the-screen name into the project, The Weinstein Company has hired Oscar-nominated scribe Michael Tolkin to pen for "Nine", its big screen adaptation of the 1982 Broadway musical which turns out to be based on the Fellini film "8�."
"Michael's unique understanding of show business and the creative process will help create a clever and sexy film," The Weinstein Co.'s honcho Harvey Weinstein commented, praising Tolkin to be the perfect man for the stint.
Set to be directed by "Chicago" helmer Rob Marshall, the musical flick is likely to stay true to the original version which concerns a famous film director named Guido Contini who reaches a creative and personal crisis while trying to balance the numerous women in his life. Tolkin is noticed to admit that it is Marshall's commitment in keeping the movie rooted in the postwar cinema of Italy that leads him to embark on his first musical venture.
"On 500 channels of cable and satellite, the classic Italian cinema is lost for the young people of today," he remarked. "It was the era of skinny ties and the original cool sunglasses."
While casting is still underway, it has been confirmed that Maury Yeston, composer and lyricist for the original production, will be back to reprise his role for the big screen adaptation. The man is on duty to executive produce as well alongside Arthur L. Kopit, who wrote the book version of the stage production, with Marshall and Weinstein both serving as the producers.
