Deadline is reporting that Amazon Studios has acquired Lucy and Desi, an Aaron Sorkin-scripted drama with Cate Blanchett in the title role of Lucille Ball. She has been linked to this project as far back as 2015.
Amazon + Sorkin + Cate sounds like a match made in heaven. This is a project that Aaron Sorkin has wanted to do for years with Cate Blanchett but had difficulty in finding a studio dance partner. Amazon Studios, which this past year won Oscars for its films Manchester By the Sea (Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor, Casey Affleck) and The Salesman (Best Foreign Film), boarding the project is a clear indication that they like the combination of Sorkin/Blanchett and working with Escape Artists producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
Javier Bardem is being lobbied for the role of Desi Arnaz, but that’s still speculation at this point. If that were to happen, Cate and Javier would be an impressive pairing for sure. But who’s going to play Fred and Ethel, the neighbor couple that completes the quartet on the classic I Love Lucy sit-com?
