Talking Saturday about being named co-winner of the 10th Richard Rodgers Award, Rob Marshall revealed that he and his partner and collaborator, John DeLuca, would be able to "go back to work Monday" on the script of their upcoming movie, "Nine."

When script work was stopped in the fall by the Writers Guild strike, Marshall and DeLuca turned instead to work with their choreography team and designers.

But after David Letterman's production company settled independently with the Writers Guild, Tom Cruise's United Artists followed, and then the Weinstein Co., producers of "Nine." So work has begun again with famed screenwriter Anthony Minghella ("Truly, Madly, Deeply," "The English Patient"), who also did some work with Marshall on "Memoirs of a Geisha."

"Musicals are so complicated," Marshall says. "They have to be beautifully crafted because there are so many variables. The script has to be in good shape before you begin rehearsals," because then there are so many other things to deal with.

As previously announced, Javier Bardem will play Guido, around whom "Nine" revolves. Rob Marshall calls him "one of the great actors in the world. It was such a surprise when we auditioned him in London. He wasn't sure he could sing well enough, and then we heard this major voice." Penelope Cruz will play his mistress -- since that casting, they've become an item -- with Marion Cotillard as his wife and Sophia Loren as his mother. There are still three major roles to cast.

Marshall expects the script will be ready by March, but filming isn't planned until July because the Screen Actors Guild contract expires June 30, and no one will risk starting production before that potential conflict is settled. If an agreement is reached earlier, shooting could be moved up, depending on the actors' schedules.

Some of the shooting will be on location in Italy, but sound stages for the major part of the production are being considered in London, Spain and Toronto.