Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in negotiations to play the iconic Hollywood couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz respectively in the upcoming film “Being the Ricardos”, directed by Aaron Sorkin.
The film will take place during a production week on the set of ‘I Love Lucy’, which begins with a Monday table read by an audience on Friday. Ball and Arnaz are going to face challenges that could end their careers and marriage.
Sorkin wrote the screenplay and will direct for Amazon Studios and Escape Artists. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists will produce. Escape Artists’ Jenna Block and David Bloomfield will serve as executive producers, along with Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Lauren Lohman.
The production date is not clear because the COVID-19 pandemic stopped most projects filmed in the US
Kidman recently starred with Hugh Grant in the HBO drama series “The Undoing”. She also appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix musical “The Prom.” This year she will star in Hulu’s star-studded “Nine Little Strangers” and Robert Eggers’ “The Northman”.
Bardem stars in Deni Villeneuve’s scientific epic “Dune” and was recently featured in “The Roads Not Taken.” He also plays Ariel’s father, King Triton, in Disney’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’.
Sorkin has just released ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ on Netflix, which is building up a big Oscar excitement. He made his directorial debut with ‘Molly’s Game’ starring Jessica Chastain, and wrote the lyrics for ‘The Social Network’, ‘A Few Good Men’ and ‘Moneyball’.
Kidman is represented by CAA, Shanahan Management and Media Talent Group. Bardem is represented by WME. Sorkin is represented by CAA.
Deadline first reported the news.