Variety reports the British thesp is in talks to play the role of a film director dealing with personal and creative demons while simultaneously trying to please the many women in his life—a part that previously belonged to Javier Bardem—in the big-screen adaptation of the Fellini-inspired stage musical, Nine.

The British scene-stealer might not seem like the obvious choice to play Guido Contini, but Bardem ultimately decided he was tired out from his other films and all that awards-season triumphing to carry on. No matter that the Spaniard's girlfriend, Penélope Cruz, is still slated to star, along with Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Judi Dench.

Chicago visionary Rob Marshall will be directing the Weinstein Co. production. A rep for the studio says no decisions regarding the male lead have been made and that any names out there now are "pure conjecture."