I added screencaptures of Marion’s scenes as Luisa Contini in ‘Nine‘ which was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK earlier this week. I’ll cap the extras at a later point.

798 Nine – 2009 > Blu-ray Screencaptures

I think pretty much everyone knows by now that Marion Cotillard is starring in Woody Allen’s new movie set in Paris and up until now only known as Woody Allen Summer Project 2011. We know a bit more about it now but first let’s start at the beginning.

It was reported on March 2 by Deadline.com that Woody Allen cast Marion Cotillard as the “Muse” in his new Paris-based movie. On April 4 it was confirmed by Le Parisien that Marion Cotillard had really been cast for the movie and that filming in Paris was scheduled to begin July 5.

Shortly afterwards, rumours emerged that Marion was replacing France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy despite the NY Daily News reporting on April 4 that Ms Bruni was overheard as saying “It’s a real part, not just a cameo. But if I’m no good, I expect him to cut me out!” Official confirmation from Woody Allen’s rep that both Marion and Carla will be in the movie came via CNN on April 6.

Now onto the latest news. Variety reported that in a rare move Woody Allen announced a title as well as plot details for the movie yesterday. (usually he waits to see the finished product before giving it a name – if it’s good, he’ll give it an attention-getting title; if it’s bad, a less flashy one according to New York Magazine). Anyway, the movie is now titled “Midnight in Paris” and stars Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Carla Bruni. Also in the cast are Michael Sheen, Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy and Kurt Fuller.

Plot synopsis:

“Midnight in Paris” is a romantic comedy that follows a family travelling to the city for business, including a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man’s great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better.

I’m very sorry for the lack of updates recently. As I said in a comment to the last post my real life has been incredibly stressful. I’m slowly making my way back and hope to resume updating on here a bit more regularly. There’s a lot to catch up on and I have got a hold of all of Marion’s recent magazine features so expect some quality scans soon! Stay tuned & thank you for your patience.

The Playlist got hold of a ‘Contagion‘ script (probably the second to last draft before shooting starts this fall) and described the plot in details. It sounds very intriguing. The movie is as much about the way that information can spread virally in the Web 2.0 age, as it is about the spread of the virus. Expect thriller – but not one packed with action scenes: it’s really more of a mystery, almost a detective story, as the various characters desperately search for the “index patient,” and a vaccine for the virus.

Speaking of characters: Marion Cotillard plays a European doctor named Leonora Orantes who works for the World Health Organization and heads to Hong Kong to investigate what appears to be the genesis spot of the breakout. Kate Winslet plays a similar character, Dr. Erin Mears, who is sent to examine Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow), who appears first in the movie, flying back from a business trip in Hong Kong and falling sick with the new desease, at home in Minnesota, Laurence Fishburne is Dr. Ellis Cheever, head of the Center for Disease Control. Beth Emhoff’s husband Thomas is played by Matt Damon and Jude Law plays Alan Krumwiede, a hungry, truthseeking blogger with an unfortunate interest in conspiracy theories, who is responsible for spreading information about the disease, both true and false, around the world.

The Playlist guesses that since Marion Cotillard and Kate Winslet are carrying the bulk of the investigative work they will probably have less showy parts but seeing them in roles they haven’t played before should keep the movie fresh. They also think that ‘Contagion‘ could be a major awards contender if it holds up to its promise.

To read the full report visit The Playlist.

Marion Cotillard together with Penéloe Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis will appear on the French Talk Show “Le Grand Journal” on Thursday, February 18, 2010.

As reported earlier, ‘Nine‘ will be shown at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival as the Birthday Special Gala. This will be on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 9pm the Friedrichstadtpalast. Reportedly, Marion Cotllard together with Penéloe Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis will be present. They will stay at the Hotel Adlon. edit Feb 18 Penélope Cruz & Daniel Day-Lewis have cancelled their appearance. It is as of yet unconfirmed whether Marion will still be there.

Great news: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Marion Cotillard have all signed on to join the starry cast ensemble of Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming sci-fi thriller ‘Contagion‘. The movie is based on a script by “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Informant!” writer Scott Z. Burns, and revolves around the threat posed by a deadly disease, with multiple plotlines in the style of Soderbergh’s ‘Traffic‘. Reportedly the story takes place over four continents and is “terrifying.” The plan is to shoot the project later this year, possibly fall.

Sources: Variety and Ace ShowBiz

Earlier today the nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards (Oscars) were announced. Though Marion Cotillard herself was not nominated the song she performs in ‘Nine‘ was among the 5 nominated songs in the category Music (Original Song). Though this is mainly honoring songwriter Maury Yeston I like to think that Marion’s performance helped it to get nominated and just shows that she herself would have been nominated had she been campaigned as Supporting Actress instead of Leading Actress by The Weinstein Company.

Music (Original Song)
• “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
• “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
• “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
• “Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
• “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Here’s Maury’s reaction to his nomination:

“I’m so grateful to Marion Cotillard for doing such a beautiful job with that song. It’s a very special honor to be singled out by the Academy and the world of film and my first foray into that world.”
• source: KFSM.com

‘Nine‘ was also nominated in the categories Actress in a Supporting Role (Penélope Cruz), Art Direction and Costume Design. Congratulations! See all Oscar Nominations here.

3 years after getting international recognition when ‘La Vie en Rose‘ celebrated its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, Marion Cotillard could actually come back to Germany. Yesterday, the festival announced their line-up for the “Berlin Special” Gala screenings at the upcoming 60th Berlin International Film Festival. ‘Nine‘ is one of them – and it will actually be the festival’s Birthday Special screening ahead of its theatrical release in Germany. Upon inquiry by Welt Online they could not yet confirm any of the star’s appearances, though. Let’s hope Marion will attend!

On a sidenote, our site has been listed on The Fan Carpt and please stay tuned for our in-depth coverage of Marion’s Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award appearances. Thank you for your patience

After Kate Hudson also Marion Cotillard got her very own music video for her song in ‘Nine‘. ‘Take It All’ combines previously unseen footage of Marion during the movie’s rehearsal and actual movie scenes with new music-video-style footage of Marion in the recording studio! The clip is amazing – be sure to check it out!

Gallery: 274 Music Videos > Take It All – 2010
Video: 001 Music Videos > Take It All

First some additional pictures of Marion Cotillard at the ‘Nine‘ screening in Rome.

Upcoming Events:
Today, Marion Cotillard will (probably) attend the 15th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards ceremony as she’s nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Red carpet arrivials will begin at 4PM (PT). The Critics’ Choice Awards ceremony will begin promptly at 6PM (PT) and will be broadcast live on VH1 Television Network at 9PM ET/PT. Details at Locate TV. Then, don’t forget the Golde Globe Awards on Sunday. More on that later.

Upcoming Talk Shows:
The recently announced talk show appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly was quietly cancelled. It seems that it was impossible for Marion to go on the show since she was in Los Angeles at business meetings. Don’t forget to watch the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson this coming Monday evening. And a new talk show appearance to note down in your diaries: Marion Cotillard is scheduled to appear on the Tavis Smiley show, Tuesday, January 19 Thursday, January 21 on PBS. Check your local listings because not all PBS stations carry Tavis’ show and if they do, the times and sometimes dates vary. Many thanks Pushpak for the info.

For both the upcoming event and talk show appearances, I’d appreciate any help with getting good quality screencaptures and video clips for the site. Thank you!

This & that:
Some background information of what went on at last Saturday’s Dior Cocktail party:

“Nine” producer Marc Platt unveiled a video she shot for her “Nine” number “Take It All.” “You may all know Marion is an Oscar-winning actress, but what you may not know is that she’s a talented music video artist,” he deadpanned. The clip showed bits from the film, rehearsal footage and outtakes of Cotillard in the recording studio. “Aaagh, this is so embarrassing,” she laughed as the small crowd, including directors Jim Sheridan, David Lynch and Michael Mann, and Tobey and Jennifer Maguire, broke into applause. Although tout Hollywood seems to want to work with her, Cotillard says she’s next turning her attention to a personal documentary on conserving the forestlands, which she was inspired to do after some friends raised her awareness about deforestation.
• source: WWD.com via Stéphanie

Then the upcoming rumoured Marion project ‘Second Coming‘ was recently mentioned by The Arizona Republic in an article about women’s rising power in Hollywood:

But if you do, and your stock is rising, it can happen. Bullock is one example. Marion Cotillard, an Oscar winner currently starring in “Nine,” is another. She’s a producer for the upcoming “The Second Coming.”

“What’s interesting is that time has changed, and now you, as an actor, can find a good story by yourself and make it happen,” Cotillard said, “like Charlize Theron with ‘Monster.’ . . . There are many ways to find roles if it doesn’t come to you from a director or producer. More and more actors are producing their movies. Maybe it’s because of that – they aren’t happy enough with the offers they get, or they want to do something else that directors will not think that they’re able to do.”

Many thanks Aurore for the following heads-up. Hugh Grant visited Le Grand Journal to promote his new movie ‘Did You Hear About the Morgans?‘ in France. During the comedy re-cap of recent news and gossip called Le Petit Journal there was a funny skit featuring Marion Cotillard. Did you think it funny how so many famous Hollywood men posed with Marion for photographs at the recent Dior Cocktail Party in her honour? Well, that’s what they thought as well, and they found a way for everyday citizens (and Hugh Grant) to do the same.

Following yesterday’s update here now the pictures of the ‘Nine‘ photocall and premiere event in Rome, Italy. Enjoy! On a sidenote, the black dress at the premiere is by Vionnet.

002 ‘Nine’ Press Conference – Rome (2 additional pics)
163 ‘Nine’ Photocall – Rome
021 ‘Nine’ Premiere – Rome