Washington, Aug 21 (ANI): It seems that Rob Marshall and Harvey Weinstein are reportedly in talks with actress Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Javier Bardem to star in the musical 'Nine'.

Marshall who is helming his first musical since directing 2002 film 'Chicago' will produce and choreograph with John DeLuca, his partner in Lucamar Prods. He is also hoping to cast Sophia Loren and his 'Chicago' star Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Weinstein Co. film, Variety magazine reports.

'Nine' is based on an Italian play by Mario Fratti inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film '81/2'.

It focuses on film director Guido Contini, who suffers a midlife crisis, blocking his creative impulses and entangling him in a web of romantic difficulties in early-1960s Venice.

Bardem is offered to play Contini, who experiences a crisis as he tries to balance all the women in his life including his wife, mistress, his film-star muse, agent and even his mother.

Michael Tolkin is adapting the script, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, the composer and lyricist of the original production. (ANI)