EXCLUSIVE: Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in talks to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on Amazon and Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos, the film about the relationship between the I love Lucy stars. Having written the script, Oscar winner Sorkin will also direct the film from Amazon Studios and Escape Artists.
The film takes place during a week of production of I love Lucy – Monday’s table is read until the filming of Friday’s audience – when Lucy and Desi face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
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Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists will be the producers. Executive producers are Jenna Block, David Bloomfield of Escape Artists, Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Lauren Lohman.
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Sorkin originally would write the screenplay only when Cate Blanchett was circulating, but after having fun in the drama The Chicago 7 Trial, he decided to join as a director also during the summer. After The Chicago Trial 7 bowed on Netflix in October, Being the Ricardos began to gain momentum with Kidman and Bardem quickly becoming interested in the couple behind the first TV family. The deals still need to be closed for the two actors, but even if and when they do, when production will start it is still on the air, as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to boost production across the country.
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After years as one of the most prolific screenwriters in Hollywood with classics like A Few Good Men, Moneyball and your Oscar winner The social network, Sorkin is also increasingly behind the camera. His directorial debut was drama Molly’s Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, and he followed with The Chicago 7.
Kidman had an eventful winter, beginning with his critically acclaimed participation in the HBO limited series The Undo. On the film side, she was part of Ryan Murphy’s star cast The prom. In 2021, she launched the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, and she recently ended production on Robert Eggers’s Vikings The Nordic.
Bardem was most recently seen in Roads not taken and the next one can be seen at Legendary’s Dune. He will also play King Triton in the Disney live-action The Little Mermaid.
Kidman is represented by CAA, Shanahan Management and Media Talent Group, Bardem is represented by WME and Sorkin is represented by CAA.