Even before casting was announced, Being the Ricardos was one of my most anticipated films of 2021/2022. As an avid fan of Lucy and Desi, seeing their story told on the big screen from the mind of Aaron Sorkin made this a can’t miss affair. However, the castings have been controversial and as Nicole Kidman was recently shot on the set of the film the Lucy fans took to offer their discontent on social meida. This led Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucy and Desi to comment regarding the latest. On her Instagram, she stated,
“I often enjoy what I see as I scroll through many “I Love Lucy” fan groups here, but, it seems it may be time, once again, for me to make my little speech.
Hi, Folks! Look, regarding the upcoming Aaron Sorkin-Amazon Studio two hour feature film shooting right now about my mother and father – with all due respect-
As you continue to find it fertile fodder for your chat room banter, please keep in mind that:
A) This is not going to be a full biography- just a snippet of time during a crucial and interesting period in their true life story.
B) We agreed to the inspired casting choice of Nicole Kidman because she is smart, a first class, award winning actress who can play comedy or drama and become anyone she puts her mind to and box office gold (important to big studios these days). She was cast to portray Lucille Ball. Not her fictional TV character, “Lucy Ricardo” and, take my word for it, Lucille Ball and “Lucy Ricardo” were quite different people.
C) Our director was not interested in this cast looking exactly like any one of the real life people they play. Acting chops and an essence of the person is what you look for- unless you are doing a drag act or an SNL sketch.
D) If one has not seen a script for a film, how can they begin to know whether an actor would be right for a part -even if they had the talent and experience to make such a decision?
And E) AGAIN, this is not a reboot/remake or updated version of “I Love Lucy”, their iconic comedy series.No one should ever attempt to do that. It would be a very very bad idea.
If someone WAS trying to do that, then many of you would be correct, no one could replace those four original actors or the brilliance of that show’s writing.his film takes place almost entirely behind the scenes of “I Love Lucy”, in the real lives of the people involved with the show, off the set and off the studio lot, during that same time period. The title, “Being The Ricardo’s”, is a clever play on words that you will understand after you see what Aaron Sorkin has written.
So, how about everyone just take a big, deep breath and let these actor kids play in the sandbox for a while with our team and make us all a nice gift, okay?
Despite the current discourse, I continue to be quite excited for this film.
