Being The Ricardos: Release Date, Cast And More

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Thanks to the classic sitcom "I Love Lucy," stars Lucille Balle and Desi Arnaz are one of the most famous couples in the history of Hollywood. The married couple defined the family sitcom as we know it, blurring the lines between their TV personas and their real life, and now part of their story will be told in a new movie called "Being the Ricardos." Oscar-winning writer and director Aaron Sorkin is behind the production that go behind the scenes of their beloved series and lives at a time when a crisis emerges that could jeopardize their careers and marriage.

"Being the Ricardos" is an Amazon Studios production that will debut on Amazon Prime Video starting on December 21, 2021. However, the film will be getting a limited release in theaters as well, and you'll be able to catch it on the big screen beginning on December 10, 2021. That will allow the movie to qualify for awards consideration, and you can bet Amazon is hoping that this will be a contender for them when the time comes.

"Being the Ricardos" is a new film inspired by the lives and careers of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the stars of "I Love Lucy" who were actually partners in life and show business. Their marriage and time in the spotlight served as an inspiration to the series that would go on to become one of the most influential, groundbreaking, and beloved TV shows of all time. The modern sitcom as we know it owes everything to "I Love Lucy," and director/writer Aaron Sorkin will provide a glimpse into the drama of the show and its stars by shining a light on one critical week during the show's production that threatened to change everything, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucy and Desi, is executive producing "Being the Ricardos," and she's thrown her full support behind the film. She previously said in a statement:

"My brother Desi and I signed on because this is a story of our folk's real-life passionate, tempestuous and complicated relationship and not a recreation of I Love Lucy – no one could do that. We felt exploring that relationship could be an enlightening challenge. We asked Amazon for the best and we got it with every hire. Aaron Sorkin has not told this tale as a 'cradle to grave' biopic. Instead, he's chosen to illuminate a snippet of time during an incredibly intense period of their show's enduring success."

"Being the Ricardos" stars Nicole Kidman as Lucille Balle and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz. Joining them will be J.K. Simmons ("Whiplash") and Nina Arianda ("Richard Jewell") as William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who played Lucy and Desi's neighbors Fred and Ethel on "I Love Lucy."

Other cast members include Tony Hale ("Veep") as "I Love Lucy" co-creator, producer, and writer Jess Oppenheimer, who is often credited as the brains behind the series. Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") plays writer Madelyn Pugh, and Jake Lacy ("Rampage") plays her writing partner Bob Carroll Jr.

"The Avengers" star Clark Gregg also has a role in the film, though his role has not yet been disclosed.

"Being the Ricardos" is written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, who previously gave us "The Trial of the Chicago 7" and "Molly's Game" as a director. Sorkin is better known for his work n the page, which includes the screenplays for "The Social Network," "Moneyball," "Charlie Wilson's War," and "A Few Good Men." In television, Sorkin garnered fame and acclaim as the creator, writer and executive producer of "The West Wing" as well as "The Newsroom."

Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch are producing the film.

Here's the official synopsis for "Being the Ricardos" from Amazon Prime Video: 

Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) are threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos in Academy Award-winning writer and director Aaron Sorkin's behind-the-scenes drama Being the Ricardos. A revealing glimpse of the couple's complex romantic and professional relationship, the film takes audiences into the writers' room, onto the soundstage and behind closed doors with Ball and Arnaz during one critical production week of their groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy."