In what Francis Ford Coppola is calling a “sex change” operation, Carmen Maura is replacing fellow Spaniard Javier Bardem in the family drama “Tetro”.

Coppola said he rewrote the pivotal role during rehearsals for the film’s 11-week shoot, which began Monday in Buenos Aires.

“One of the important roles in the script is a mentor and teacher to Tetro (Vincent Gallo), and I originally wrote it for a man. As I read and reread (the script), I felt that the interaction between the two characters would be far more intriguing if they were of the opposite sex.”

The director often changes key elements of his script before and during filming, he said.

But according to another person involved in the deal, Bardem “became unavailable” for the project and is currently reading drafts of the script for his starring role in Rob Marshall’s adaptation of the Broadway musical “Nine.” Bardem, who recently won an Oscar for his supporting role in “No Country For Old Men,” never attended the rehearsals.

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Huge congrats to Javier for the great honor! Photos will be added shortly.

The Actors Union Prizes were awarded at a gala in Madrid last night, with the gongs given to those who have excelled in television, theatre or film over the past year. This year the main Premio Homenaje went to actor Javier Bardem for winning an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in “No Country for Old Men”.

In his acceptance speech, Javier Bardem commented that when he was told about the award that he thought it was a bit absurd that he was being given an award for having won an award, but that it was a very special prize to belong to a different race of people that had a lot to do with the love of life. Javier Bardem was visibly affected by the night and enjoyed the choice of his brother Carlos as Best newcomer.

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I’ve added one new photoshoot, shot in 2005 for Vitals magazine. And another set of candids of Javier and Penelope on their vacation in France.

Check out these recently discovered fantastic photoshoots of Javier Bardem.

- 2000 Uknown Set
- 2005 Vanity Fair
- 2008 Vanity Fair

Lovebirds Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem take a romantic stroll through Nice, France after flying into the city for Easter Sunday.

Penelope, 33, and Javier, 39, have been dating for almost a year now. In 1992, Javier made his first international hit with Jamón, Jamón, which also starred Penelope.

Source: JustJared