Coens To Sing 'Romance And Cigarettes'

The Coen Brothers are to make a bigscreen musical with "Romance and Cigarettes," a musical written by John Turturro, reports Variety.

The list of actors being courted for roles includes James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Julia Stiles, Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi and Aida Turturro. John Turturro is talking to his "Mr. Deeds" co-star Adam Sandler about making a cameo. Word is that the film might find its way to United Artists as a negative pickup, but that studio is denying they've made any deal.

Though his reps would not confirm, "Sopranos" star Gandolfini looks likely to make "Romance and Cigarettes" his hiatus film. He starred in the last Coen pic "The Man Who Wasn't There," and would topline the musical as a Brooklyn guy in what is being called "Pennies From Heaven" meets "The Honeymooners."

All of the participants will dance and sing. John Turturro, who was part of the "O Brother Where Art Thou" ensemble as well as "Barton Fink," has set the tale in his home base of Bensonhurst.