Photo: GLEN WILSON/AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES; Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Nicole Kidmanis opening up about portraying Lucille Ball inBeing the RicardosafterCate Blanchettwas previously attached to the role.
“I feel like there’s a sacred pact among us all — whoever gets something, that’s where it was meant to land,” said Kidman.
Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Ball and Desi Arnaz who served as an executive producer onBeing the Ricardos, told theTimesshe was personally “devastated” when Blanchett no longer could do the project: “It just took too long and we lost her. I was devastated.”
Before finding Kidman, Lucie said it was difficult finding the right fit to play her mother. “None of them made me happy. It was always like, who’s the flavor of the month? Who’s got the hot movie of the minute?” she recalled, adding of Kidman, “I thought that’s good — we should only be looking at Australian actresses for this!”
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Being the Ricardosalso stars Javier Bardem as Desi, plus Nina Arianda, J.K. Simmons, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, Linda Lavin, Jake Lacy and John Rubinstein.
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Kidman previouslysaidtaking on the role of Ball was daunting because it was out of her “comfort zone,” but added that she hoped she was funny as the famous comedian. Despite her self-doubt, Kidman got theapprovalLucie, who praised the actress as “spectacular” in the role.
“What she did was astounding,” Lucie toldPalm Springs Life.“She’s got such poise and class.”
Kidman also told theTimesabout rehearsing to play Ball with help from her mom Janelle, who is a big fan of Ball. “She’d say, ‘You got this word wrong,’ and I’d go, ‘Mom, just let me get to the end of the sentence before you correct me,’ " remembered Kidman, adding, “Rule No. 1, don’t learn lines with your mom.”
Being the Ricardosis now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
source: people.com
