Back in 2018, Cate Blanchett confirmed that she would be playing Lucille Ball in the recently released Amazon Prime film.
Being the Ricardos is finally out on Amazon Prime Video and the film has received mixed reviews from the critics as well as the fans. As per the latest reports, Cate Blanchett was first offered to play the role of Lucille Ball before Nicole Kidman in the film. During a recent interaction, the Big Little Lies actor has spoken out about her role as Ball in Being the Ricardos after Blanchett was previously linked to the role.
According to People magazine, Kidman discussed her preparation for the role of the iconic comedian and I Love Lucy star in the film directed by Aaron Sorkin. When asked about joining after Blanchett, who was unable to do the film due to a scheduling conflict, Kidman shared the industry motto she lives by when it comes to casting.
The actor feels like there's a sacred pact among the actors that whoever gets something, that's where it's meant to land.
Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Ball and Desi Arnaz and an executive producer on Being the Ricardos has revealed that she was personally affected by the situation. The group was devastated when Blanchett couldn't complete the project. She added that it just took too long, and they lost her, leaving her heartbroken.
Regarding the initial backlash to her casting before anyone saw her final performance, Kidman stated that she avoids social media comments but still learned about them. The actor revealed that she doesn't use the internet, and certainly doesn't Google herself.
Blanchett, who is currently starring in Don't Look Up and Nightmare Alley told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018 about her plans to play Ball. The actor revealed that Ball has long been a source of fascination for her. She had earlier called the project "work in progress" and was very excited about it.
Being the Ricardos also stars Nina Arianda, JK Simmons, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, Linda Lavin, Jake Lacy, and John Rubinstein, as well as Javier Bardem as Desi.
According to the film's official description, the film takes place during one week of filming for the couple's famous sitcom, I Love Lucy during which Lucy and Desi are "threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear, and cultural taboos." Lucy and Desi were married in 1940 and divorced in 1960.
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