Javier Bardem Takes A Break

It looks like Javier has bailed out of a gig in order to get some much needed R&R. We get word of his sabbatical thanks to the professionals at Variety:

Javier Bardem has stepped out of the lead role of “Nine,” the musical that “Chicago” helmer Rob Marshall will direct for the Weinstein Co. Bardem was expected to play Guido Contini, a film director who experiences personal and creative crisis trying to balance all the women in his life.

Though his camp said that Bardem loved the script and the idea of working with Marshall, he pulled out because he is exhausted from work and awards season, and will take as long as a year to recharge his batteries. Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren are still aboard to star, and Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are reportedly negotiating to join them in the screen adaptation of a stage musical inspired by the Fellini film “8½.”

Some would say that you should strike whilst the iron is hot, and get in all the work you can when it’s being offered to you. Javier has opted to choose the path of slack, and take it easy after a busy run of work. Javier is a man after my own heart in this regard. Time is out most valuable resource as finite beings; sometimes you need to sip soda under a willow tree and enjoy yourself.

Javier should have no trouble getting work upon his return; but it’s a shame that he will be unable to rock this role. A bevy of talented beauties have been corralled for him to work with in this picture, and it would’ve been a cool to see him in this one.

In the meantime, we can look forward to his saucy new Woody Allen picture, Vicky Christina Barcelona.