Javier Bardem departed from the lead role in the Weinstein's adaptation of the musical "Nine" says Variety.

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. Bardem's reps say he pulled out because he is exhausted from work and awards season and will take up to a year off.

The actor was ready to make the film late last year, but "Nine" got postponed due to the writer's strike causing a delay to needed script revisions.

"Chicago" helmer Rob Marshall is directing, and Bardem will next be seen in the Woody Allen-directed "Vicky Christina Barcelona" being shown at Cannes.