Variety reports that the star of "There Will Be Blood" is currently in talks to step into the role recently vacated by an over-worked Javier Bardem, who was originally slated to portray Italian filmmaker Guido Contini.

The 1982 Broadway musical was inspired by Federico Fellini's film "8 ½." Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Michael Tolkin has penned the screenplay for the movie musical. The late Oscar-winning writer and director Anthony Minghella ("The English Patient") was brought in to rewrite Tolkin's screenplay shortly before his death in March.

Confirmed casting for the film includes Penelope Cruz (Carla), Marion Cotillard (Luisa), Sophia Loren (Guido's Mother), Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench. The Weinstein Company produces the venture; Yeston and Kopit are on board as co-executive producers.

Daniel Day-Lewis earned Academy Awards for his work in the films "There Will Be Blood" and "My Left Foot." His screen credits also include "Last of the Mohicans," "Gangs of New York," "In the Name of the Father," "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" and "The Crucible."

Nine centers on Guido Contini, a heralded film director (much like Federico Fellini) who, fearing he is losing his touch, escapes to a Venetian spa for rejuvenation. Blurring the lines of fantasy and reality, the women in Contini's life swirl around him: His mother, his wife and his mistress ultimately serve as both distraction and inspiration. Nine premiered on Broadway in 1982, starring Raul Julia, Anita Morris and Karen Akers. The Tommy Tune-directed production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In 2003 Broadway saw a revival boasting an all-star cast including Antonio Banderas, Chita Rivera, Jane Krakowski and Mary Stuart Masterson. Directed by David Leveaux and reset in the early 1960s, the revival would win two Tony's, including Best Revival.