After Javier Bardem exited from the cast of the musical Nine, producers started looking for a replacement, and they found one. Daniel Day-Lewis is not in talks to replace Javier as the lead character, Guido Contini, a film director experiencing personal and creative crisis while trying to balance all the women in his life.

The leading ladies that will play opposite Daniel are Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, and Marion Cotillard. What a lineup!

The musical will be directed by Rob Marshall.

It’s so nice to see Hollywood filming more musicals.

Oscar winner Javier Bardem backed out of the Weinstein Company’s movie musical Nine. He was set to play the lead character Guido Contini, who, in the movie, is a director who has a personal and creative crisis as he tries to manage all the women in his life.

Bardem’s rep said he pulled out because he is exhausted from work and awards season, and will take as long as a year to recharge his batteries.

Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Sophia Loren are still aboard to star, and Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are reportedly still in negotiations.

Bardem could be taking a break to avoid the Oscar curse. It must have been tough to pass on a movie loaded with this many talented ladies.

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are getting married according to the National Enquirer, via Digital Spy. Javier, who won Best Supporting Actor Oscar for No Country For Old Men, asked Cruz to marry him at the constant urging from his mother. A friend said:

"Pilar took her son aside and told him, ’What’s the matter with you? She’s perfect! You love her, she loves you. Get married.’"

The report adds the wedding will take place later this year. A summer wedding would be nice.

Penelope Cruz (33) was spotted on the beach with Javier Bardem (38) in the Republic of Maldives. The two first met in 1992 when they played lovers in a movie called Jamon, Jamon. Maybe Cruz is going to finally settle down, get married, and pop out a few pop tarts. Isn’t love beautiful? Unless of course it cuts you like a knife, leaves your heart bleeding in the street, you drink yourself to sleep every night, and wake up in a pool of your own vomit. I’m talking of course about a friend of mine. I have no trouble in love. I always get the girl, or to be more accurate, she always gets the guy (me).