The Oscar-winning pair are in talks to join Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren in Rob Marshall's adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical. The 1982 show, itself an adaptation of Federico Fellini's autobiographical opus "8 1/2," revolves around a film director (Bardem) juggling the demands of several women in his life.

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Plenty of people are familiar with Kidman's singing and dancing chops from "Moulin Rouge," but far fewer are aware of Dench's extensive musical theater experience. She played Sally Bowles in the original London production of "Cabaret" in 1968, and won the 1995 Olivier Award for best actress in a musical in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music."