The Bulletin: Tolkin, Weinstein Adapt 'Nine'

Screenwriter and novelist Michael Tolkin ("The Player," "The Rapture") will adapt Broadway's "Nine," a musical adaptation of Federico Fellini's "8½," for Harvey Weinstein at The Weinstein Company, reports Variety. Rob Marshall ("Chicago") will direct. Tolkin said Marshall's commitment to root the musical in Italy's postwar aesthetic was a key reason for his involvement. "On 500 channels of cable and satellite, the classic Italian cinema is lost for the young people of today," Tolkin told Variety. "It was the era of skinny ties and the original cool sunglasses." In "Nine," famous film auteur Guido Contini must contend with all the women of his life — his wife, mistress, muse, agent and mother — in the midst of a creative and personal crisis. Raul Julia and Chita Rivera were stars in the original production in the 1980s, with Tommy Tune as director, Thommie Walsh as choreographer and Maury Yeston as composer and lyricist. Yeston and Kopit will co-executive produce. John DeLuca will produce and choreograph with Marshall.

Maher Travels With Lionsgate
Lionsgate will distribute political humorist and author Bill Maher's documentary about world religion, reports Lionsgate President of Theatrical Films Tom Ortenberg. Larry Charles ("Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazahstan") will direct. Jonah Smith and Palmer West will produce. "Comedically, the topic of religion is hitting the side of a barn — it's literally hard to miss. This movie will make you laugh so hard you'll pray for it to stop," Maher said. "Nietzsche said God is dead, but he didn't see the grosses for 'Passion of The Christ,'" Charles said.

Reed to Direct Carrey in 'Yes Man'
Peyton Reed ("Down With Love," "The Break-Up") will direct "Yes Man," in which a man out of luck simply begins to agree to all life's offers, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Jim Carrey is in talks to star. David Heyman ("Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix") and Richard Zanuck will produce for Warner Bros.

Beresford to Direct 'Last Dancer'
Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy") will direct "Mao's Last Dancer," an adaptation of Li Cunxin's autobiography about the Chinese peasant's metamorphosis into a ballet dancer and a subsequent defection, reports Variety. Jan Sardi ("Shine") wrote the script. Production will start in February in China, Australia and the United States.

Leguizamo to Star in Shyamalan's Next
John Lequizamo will star with Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening" (June 18, 2008), about a cataclysmic environmental crisis that positions man at war with nature, reports Variety. Sam Mercer and Barry Mendel (“The Sixth Sense”) will produce with Shyamalan, and production will begin in Philadelphia in August with a budget of about $57 million.reports Variety.

Howard to Direct 'Emperor's Children'
Ron Howard will direct "The Emperor's Children," an adaptation of Claire Messud's novel in which Ivy League graduates approach the age of 30 with angst, reports Variety. Noah Baumbach ("The Squid and the Whale," October's "Margot and the Wedding") wrote the script, in which Brian Grazer will produce. Howard will next direct "Frost/Nixon," an adaptation of Peter Morgan's stageplay with Frank Langella and Michael Sheen ("The Queen") to begin production Aug. 24.