Reports say that Catherine Zeta-Jones was unhappy with the size of the role she would play as Claudia in the film adaptation of the musical "Nine," and after director Rob Marshall refused to change the script to enlarge her role - she quit the project.
The New York Daily News asserted, "The strong-willed actress won't be in the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical - allegedly because director Rob Marshall wouldn't give in to her demand to beef up her role.
"Marshall is said to have politely told her the script couldn't be changed so dramatically."
An unnamed friend of Zeta-Jones disputed the story saying, "She was never 100% committed to 'Nine.' She had a meeting with Rob. She'd love to work with him again. But she felt she'd done the same sort of role in 'Chicago.' The script wasn't an issue."
The show will go on with a strong cast in place, with Javier Bardem as Guido, Sophia Loren as Guido's mother, Penelope Cruz as his mistress Carla, and Marion Cotillard as Luisa Contini.
Reportedly Marshall is now looking for a somewhat younger actress to play the role of Claudia.
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