As far as Hollywood icons go, there are arguably none as legendary as Lucille Ball—the mastermind behind one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, I Love Lucy.
Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director Aaron Sorkin, of The West Wing and The Social Network fame, is set to start production on Being the Ricardos, a film that will document one week of filming on the I Love Lucy show.
According to Deadline, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are set to star as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, her husband and I Love Lucy costar, in the upcoming project.
The movie chronicles “Monday table read through Friday audience filming”—although, not just any normal week for the cast and crew. Deadline notes that two major hurdles hit the couple: “a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.”
The publication adds that Cate Blanchett was also being considered for the role of Ball.
WATCH BELOW: Being The Ricardos First Trailer
I Love Lucy ran from 1951 to 1957, and Ball died in 1989. The couple eloped in 1940 and were married until 1960 when Ball successfully filed for divorce. She first attempted to file in 1944, but the pair reconciled, then welcomed two children.
The year ahead is set to be a big one for Kidman, who is currently filming new Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, the film adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s book of the same name. The actress also recently wrapped production on Robert Eggers’ Vikings film, The Northman.
But while Kidman might seem like a perfect fit for the icon, many fans began a campaign for Debra Messing to play the legendary character, who the actress previously embodied during an episode of Will & Grace.
Kidman has since responded to the backlash surrounding her casting as Lucille in a new interview with Variety. The Australian actress revealed exactly how she’s been preparing for her latest role and how enthusiastic she is for the movie.
“I love Lucille, having looked now and delved into her,” Kidman shared. “She’s an amazing woman. I’m very excited for people to see what [director Aaron Sorkin] found out about her and the way he’s interpreted Desi and Lucy and the way that it’s so rich. I didn’t know any of this.”
The Undoing star has also voiced her excitement to be working with Bardem and Sorkin, saying: “With Aaron’s words and his direction and Javier… that’s kind of a wonderful prospect to, you know. But yikes, off we go. Give it a go. Try my best—see if I can do it.”
Regarding the controversy, one fan wrote to Twitter, “Debra should really be the only choice here”, where Messing responded: “Thank you sweets.”
Aside from Messing’s contribution, the internet became obsessed with promoting Messing to take Kidman’s spot.
Being The Ricardos is set to premiere on Amazon Prime on December 21, 2021.
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