NINE Downscales: Will Continue Theatrical Run on 890 Screens

The New York Times reports that The Weinstein Company will be shifting its plans for the new movie musical NINE, due to lukewarm reviews and an underwhelming box office performance.  With only a $5.5 million gross after playing 1400 screens nationwide and debuting at #8 on the charts, the film will be pulled from many theaters and will continue its theatrical run in a limited number of venues.

Said David Glasser, an operations executive for The Weinstein Company, to Reuters: "The movie is performing very well on about 890 key screens." 

NINE had a limited release on December 18th in New York and Los Angeles and a wide release on December 25th.

NINE premiered on Broadway in 1982 to critical acclaim (winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical), and was successfully revived in 2003 (winning another two Tonys, including Best Revival). The film adaptation is directed by Rob Marshall, and stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), and Sophia Loren. The film includes new songs by original composer-lyricist Maury Yeston that were not in previous stage versions.

NINE follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his confidante and costume designer Lillie (Judi Dench), young American fashion journalist Stephanie (Kate Hudson), the prostitute Saraghina from his youth (Fergie), and his Mamma (Sophia Loren).

NINE was written for the screen by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella. The movie is based on the original stage play, book by Arthur Kopit, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston.