Nicole Kidman has tackled many roles over her career but she says playing Lucille Ball in the upcoming biopic, Being the Ricardos, has been challenging.
The film focuses on one week in the production of the classic TV sitcom I Love Lucy, during which Ball and her then-real-life husband, Desi Arnaz work through a crisis that threatened both their careers and their marriage.
In a recent conversation with Chris Rock for Variety, the 53-year-old Oscar winner opened up about the various challenges of playing comedy queen Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming film, Being the Ricardos.
Kidman confessed that Ball was “just one of the most talented people to ever roam the earth. I am way out of my comfort zone right now, Chris! I’m free-falling.”
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She continued by touching on the fact that the movie isn’t a remake of I Love Lucy, but rather a look into the actress’s life.
“The strange thing about Lucille Ball is that everyone thinks we’re remaking the ‘I Love Lucy’ show, and it’s so not that,” Kidman said. “It’s about Lucille and Desi and their relationship and their marriage. It’s very deep, actually.”
Kidman, known mostly for her dramatic roles, told Rock, “I’d like to be funny. I’m never cast funny.”
The Australian actress added that she also had a tough time adapting her voice to match Ball’s accent.
“I’ve had to put in an enormous amount of time on Lucille Ball right now because she has a very particular rhythm and way of speaking.”
Listen to the entire interview below.