Fans Want Debra Messing as Lucille Ball, Again!
The script for “Being The Ricardos”, originally titled “Lucy and Desi” was first acquired by Amazon Studios in August 2017 with Escape Artists’ award-winning writer Aaron Sorkin on scripting. Four years ago, when Amazon bought the rights to the script, Cate Blanchett was originally attached to the production to portray the role of Lucille Ball with the team on the lookout to cast the roles of the actress’s former husband Desi Arnaz and their show neighbours’ characters of Ethel and Fred Mertz.
The production is being directed by Aaron Sorkin as well (as of summer 2020), with the actors’ children Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill and Desi Arnaz Jr. being involved in the storytelling of their parents’ love/business relationship via controlling the rights to their memoirs which will be used in the production, and being two of the Executive Producers for the upcoming film. Alongside these three, Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are in Production with Jenna Block, David Bloomfield, Stuart Besser, and Lauren Lohman in Executive Production.
The film “Being The Ricardos” is set during a week of production of the 50s TV sitcom “I Love Lucy”, starting at Monday’s table read and ending at Friday’s audience filming. It follows the actors Lucy and Desi as they face career and marriage crises that could end both of their love and business relationships. Currently, the film’s production team is on the lookout for actors for its character roles. Recently, it was revealed that Nicole Kidman is being considered for the role of Lucy instead of Cate Blanchett portraying the 50s actress. But with this revelation comes the outcry by Debra Messing fans for her to play the role, listing down why Kidman would not be a good fit.
In the third and final revival season (or 11th overall season) of “Will & Grace”, the American television sitcom (1998-2006, 2017-2020), actress Debra Messing’s title character Grace Adler portrays Hollywood’s greatest icon Lucille Ball’s character Lucy Ricardo from “I Love Lucy”. W&G’s cast, writers and crew had wanted to produce a tribute to the 50s sitcom for over 20 years and were finally able to get it done just last year in the finale season’s 16th episode, 2 episodes before the show’s official close. It was at a special request by Bob Greenblatt who had asked W&G creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan to make the fantasy of the episode into a reality years ago when they first met. For the Season 11, 16th episode titled “We Love Lucy” of “Will & Grace”, Debra Messing’s character Grace claims she, amongst two other characters Karen and Jack, could portray Lucille Ball’s Lucy Ricardo character best. They ask Will, the other title character of W&G to be the judge and also portray Desi Arnaz’s Ricky Ricardo character.
Cmon Aaron Sorkin @AmazonStudios – Nicole Kidman is NOT RIGHT FOR THIS PART. Debra Messing was born specifically to play this part. She can play comedy AND drama…Nic cannot. Plus LOOK AT DEBRA!!👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/GYGKRQ0JPw
— The Kryptonian (@wearingacape) January 11, 2021
Based on Debra’s portrayal of Grace trying out acting as Lucy Ricardo, fans are refusing to accept Nicole Kidman in the role. Fans have tweeted comparisons of Lucy and Debra’s Grace as Lucy, showing why Debra would be a better fit physically for the role. They also comment on Debra’s comedic abilities versus Nicole’s more dramatic abilities.
What side are you on? Are you Team Nicole or Team Debra for Lucy’s role in “Being The Ricardos”? Let us know in the comments and let your friends know about this upcoming feature production bound to break the box-office!
Credit: Rob Latour for Cate, Aurora Rose for Debra, Emma Summerton for Nic
