WhileAaron Sorkinis currentlyin the middle of an Oscar campaignfor his second directorial featureThe Trial of the Chicago 7, cameras are already rolling on his third movie as a director. Amazon Studios announced today that filming has begun onBeing the Ricardos, an account of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s relationship starringNicole KidmanandJavier Bardemin the lead roles, respectively. In addition to announcing the start of filming, Amazon has also revealed additional casting news and a stellar crew for the feature.
Being the Ricardostakes place during one production week ofI Love Lucy— Monday table read through Friday audience filming – when Lucy and Desi face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
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As previously announced,J.K. SimmonsandNina Ariandaare playing Lucy and Desi’sI Love Lucyco-stars William Frawley and Viivan Vance, and joining the cast areTony HaleasI Love Lucyexecutive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer andAlia ShawkatandJake Lacyas the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr. The ensemble will be rounded out byClarke Gregg,Nelson Franklin,John Rubinstein,Linda Lavin,Robert Pine, andChristopher Denham.
Additionally, Sorkin will be working withDavid Fincher’s longtime cinematographerJeff Cronenwethon the film, reuniting after Cronenweth shot Sorkin’s Oscar-winning script forThe Social Network. The crew also includes production designerJon Hutman(Unbroken,It’s Complicated), costume designerSusan Lyall(The Trial of the Chicago 7,Molly’s Game), set decoratorEllen Brill(Bombshell, American Horror Story) three-time Oscar® nominated sound mixerSteven Morrow(Ford v Ferrari, A Star is Born, La La Land), and two-time Oscar nominated editorAlan Baumgarten(The Trial of the Chicago 7,American Hustle).
Sorkin wrote the script and is directingBeing the Ricardos, after previously having written the screenplay for another director to helm. In that version,Cate Blanchettwas attached to play Lucille Ball, but scheduling conflicts forced her to drop out.
“Being the Ricardosis a drama about the people behind the making of television’s most famous comedy. I’m looking forward to working with Nicole, Javier, J.K., Nina and the rest of our great cast,” says writer-director Aaron Sorkin.
Executive producer Lucie Arnaz says, “My brother Desi and I signed on because this is a story of our folk’s real-life passionate, tempestuous and complicated relationship andnota recreation ofI Love Lucy– no one could do that. We felt exploring that relationship could be an enlightening challenge. We asked Amazon for the best and we got it with every hire. Aaron Sorkin has not told this tale as a ‘cradle to grave’ biopic. Instead, he’s chosen to illuminate a snippet of time during an incredibly intense period of their show’s enduring success. The casting choices have all been inspired and Desi and I are so looking forward to seeing what this impressive group of actors make of Sorkin’s delicious script.”
Amazon Studios has not set a release date just yet, but it’s possible the film could be ready in time for an awards season release later this year.
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