Amazon Studios has triumphed over other television production firms after it successfully acquired the drama show “Lucy And Desi.” Written by “The West Wing” and “The Social Network” scribe Aaron Sorkin, it is expected to be one of the most-awaited TV projects of the year. For one, 2-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett has already signed on to star.
The storyline
According to Deadline, “Lucy and Desi” will be telling the story of Hollywood star Lucille Ball and her former husband and business partner Desi Arnaz. Cate Blanchett will play the role of Lucille Ball.
Much of the focus of the miniseries will be on the difficult relationship Ball, and Arnaz had with each other as they set to build an entertainment empire with their Desilu production company. Desilu is the same producer of “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.”
Variety reports that one of the things that will be discussed in the Amazon series includes the 20-year marriage of the two Hollywood stars. In “Lucy and Desi,” it will be emphasized that their relationship began in 1940 when Ball eloped with the Cuban bandleader, forever changing the landscape of sitcoms. Both Ball and Arnaz are credited for the current format of sitcoms that are airing on televisions nowadays. “I Love Lucy” is also considered one of the best television shows of all time.
Final casting
While Blanchett is already committed to play Lucille Ball, casting for Desi Arnaz is still underway. Nevertheless, Javier Bardem appears to be the perfect man for it. Other important roles in the Amazon series include that of William Frawley and Vivian Vance, two actors who were part of the now iconic shows “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”
Desi and Ball’s children – Desi Arnaz Jr.
and Lucie Luckinbill – have authorized Amazon Studios to produce the show, provided that they have total control over the rights of some of the properties their iconic parents had. The rights package also includes the use of the memoirs that were written by Ball and Desi as one of the sources of the material.
It is not yet known when the show will be streaming on any of Amazon’s streaming channels, but it is said that production will start this year.
Blanchett, on the other hand, will next be seen as the villainess Hela in the trilogy-closing “Thor: Ragnarok.” She will also be starring in an all-female spin-off sequel to the “Oceans” trilogy called “Ocean’s Eight” with Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.