Director: Renee wanted to play Ada

NEWTON, N.J., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- When Renee Zellweger first fell in love with the novel, "Cold Mountain," she saw herself as Ada, the southern belle who hits hard times during the Civil War.

But Anthony Minghella, the filmmaker who brings the book to the big screen this month, thought the "Chicago" star would be much better in the role of Ruby, the poor, resourceful woman who helps Ada (Nicole Kidman) back on her feet.

"I was so taken with (Zellweger) and what had surprised me was that, in her mind, she wanted to play Ada and while I was sitting with her I was thinking all the time, 'Well, I don't particularly understand that instinct, but I love her love of this material,'" Minghella told UPI's Karen Butler in a recent phone interview.

"And I certainly began to think she could play Ruby and that she would bring something so extraordinary to Ruby.

"The other thing to say about Renee is that I don't think many people would recognize Renee on the street. ... I think it takes people some time to realize that it's her in the film," he said.

"Cold Mountain" was nominated Thursday for eight Golden Globe Awards, including acting nods for Zellweger and Kidman.