Harvey Weinstein and Rob Marshall are reuniting for the first time since the Oscar winning 2003 musical Chicago on an adaptation of the Broadway show Nine.

Marshall will direct the production with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, composer and lyricist for the original 1982 Broadway production that won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Marshall and his LUCAMAR Productions partner John DeLuca will choreograph and will be part of the producing team. A writer will be announced shortly.

The Weinstein Company (TWC) acquired the rights from Arthur Kopit and Yeston who will each serve as co-executive producer.

Based on Fellini's 8 1/2, Nine follows the life of world-famous film director Guido Contini as he prepares his latest film and balances the numerous women in his life including his wife, a producer, a mistress, a film star, and his deceased mother.

'Nine is a sumptuous and emotional work that translates naturally to the film musical genre because of its seamless relationship between fantasy and reality,' Marshall said.

'Finding another musical to bring to the screen has been quite a journey and I am thrilled that it's Nine. Harvey and I are looking forward to working together again, and I am excited to be taking on this challenging and provocative piece.'

'Rob and I have been looking for another musical to make together ever since Chicago and I nearly fell over with excitement when he first suggested Nine,' Harvey Weinstein said. 'It's a brilliant and timeless masterpiece, and no one can stage sexier or more dynamic numbers than Rob Marshall.'

TWC co-president of production Michael Cole and senior vice president of production Kelly Carmichael will oversee the production on behalf of the company.

Eric Roth, executive vice president of business and legal affairs and Laine Kline, senior vice president of business and legal affairs, negotiated the deal with ICM's Doug MacLaren, and attorneys Michael Gendler and Kevin Kelly. WMA represented Kopit in negotiations, and Sarah Douglas from Abrams Artists represented Yeston.

Chicago opened in 2003 and earned 13 Oscar nominations, winning six including best picture. It grossed more than $300m worldwide and was the highest grossing film in Miramax's history under the leadership of Bob and Harvey Weinstein.