Marshall leads 'Geisha' race

"Chicago" director Rob Marshall has emerged as the top contender to direct Columbia Pictures/Red Wagon Entertainment's "Memoirs of a Geisha".

Steven Spielberg had been originally attached to direct "Geisha," based on Arthur Golden's best-selling novel, but stepped off and will now retain a producer role.

All eyes are on Marshall, who has yet to pick a follow-up film to "Chicago", which won the best picture Oscar this year.