No name is more familiar to classic TV fans than Lucille Ball of the '50s sitcom I Love Lucy. The show was centered around a vibrant red head with tons of personality, married to a Cuban singer (Desi Arnaz), who always found herself in some form of trouble. Fans loved her character but most of her personal life still remains a mystery. Who was Lucille Ball the person? A new biopic by Aaron Sorkin about the comedian is underway with Cate Blancett in the lead role, hoping to answer that question.
US Weekly reported that Blanchett is set to take on the role as Lucille Ball in an authorized biopic. The film is set to be written by Sorkin, who has yet to put pen to paper to draft the film but already has an idea of what the biopic will focus on.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will center on the life of the iconic actress who starred in shows like The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, Life with Lucy and of course I Love Lucy. Sorkin is no stranger to biopics, though he typically features male subjects. Previously, he has written scripts for films like The Social Network, Moneyball and the upcoming biopic of Steve Jobs starring Michael Fassbender.
This project could be out of his comfort zone but he has plenty of help to get the story right. Working with Sorkin are two of Ball's children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. who were involved with selecting Blanchett for the role of their mother. Blanchett is known for her work in Cinderella and Carol, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival," according to THR.
'I Love Lucy' also starred actors Vivian Vance (Ethel), William Fawley (Fred), Desi Arnaz as Ricky and the only living cast member, Richard Keith who starred as Lucy and Ricky's son Little Ricky. With Keith's assistance coupled by Ball's children, an accurate depiction of her life on and off camera should come to life in this biopic.
