It would seem Amazon Studios has set their sights on another film to join their already impressive lineup, one that currently includes titles like Manchester by the Sea, The Lost City of Z and The Big Sick. The company announced that they acquired the rights to Lucy and Desi, an Aaron Sorkin-scripted biopic about the life of I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball. Talks for the film began back in 2015, with actress Cate Blanchett currently still signed on to play the Emmy award-winning actress. The film will explore Lucille’s 20-year marriage to Desi Arnaz, their business/romantic relationships, and the couple’s work on I Love Lucy, a program that set the template for modern sitcoms and syndicated reruns.
According to Deadline, talks are already underway for actors who could play the role of Desi, with Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Vicky Christina Barcelona) being the most notable contender. Casting for the roles of actors Vivian Vance and William Frawley, who played Ethel and Fred Vance on the show, have been discussed, but little information has been provided so far. In addition to using memoirs written by both actors, Sorkin will be assisted by Lucie Luckinbill and Desi Arnaz Jr., the children of Ball and Arnaz, in writing the script. The two will serve as producers for the film, alongside Escape Artists partners Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
No release date for the film has been announced yet. As for the actor and screenwriter, Blanchett will be playing antagonist Hela in Thor Ragnarok while Sorkin will make his directorial debut with the drama Molly’s Game starring Jessica Chastain. Both films will be released in theaters this November.
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