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Nicole Kidman slammed as Aaron Sorkin's Lucille Ball, fans want Debra Messing: 'She can't move her face'

Reports state the film 'Being the Ricardos' is set during a production week of 'I Love Lucy' when Lucy and Desi face a 'crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage'

On January 11, 2021, reports broke that Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem were in talks to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the stars behind the iconic series 'I Love Lucy'. The Amazon Studios and Escape Artists film will be directed by Aaron Sorkin and is titled 'Being the Ricardos'. It will be produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch with Jenna Block, David Bloomfield of Escape Artists, Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz, Jr and Lauren Lohman serving as executive producers.

What is the film about?

The film, according to reports, will be about the relationship between the Ball and Arnaz. Reports also state the film is set during a production week of 'I Love Lucy' when Ball and Arnaz face a "crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage."

Why is Kidman's casting causing internet fury?

Most remember Kidman from her recent role in HBO's 'The Undoing' and of course the Netflix musical 'The Prom'. While both made sufficient noise in the entertainment industry, it turns out that the 'I Love Lucy' fans would much rather prefer Debra Messing play the role of Lucille Ball instead of Kidman. "Lucille Ball was a very expressive actor and Nicole Kidman hasn’t moved her whole face since Practical Magic," wrote one user. Another added, "No, Nicole Kidman! I have admired her over the years but I think she’s had work done on her face and it really distracted me in The Undoing. I couldn’t focus. How is she gonna move her face the way Lucy did."

As many know Lucy's expressions are prime when it comes to her portrayal, and many are upset that Kidman just won't do the role justice. Kidman of course has a huge fan base, and that isn't the point here, even fans of the actress think that her playing Lucy is not right. "Lucille Ball has more charisma in her pinky than Nicole Kidman does in her whole body. And what about all that Botox and filler? She can’t move her face like Lucy can. This is a bad idea," wrote another user. Another added, "I like Nicole Kidman and have always been a fan but she barely has any expression on her face these days. Much of Lucille Ball's comedy came from her facial expressions." Yet another added, "Stepping away from impending Civil War for a moment to consider something lighter: Nicole Kidman is to play Lucille Ball. Is there a less nimble-faced actress to play the most expressive face ever on a screen? Her face doesn't move. How can she POSSIBLY play Lucille Ball?"

Fans give Sorkin the 'best' choice, Debra Messing

But of course, the internet gave Sorkin another choice — the incredibe Messing. "Seriously. Pick up the goddamn phone and call @DebraMessing right f***ing now," wrote one fan. "Who do we complain to to stop Nicole Kidman from playing Lucy? That needs to go to @DebraMessing and only Debra Messing! #Lucy #ILoveLucy," wrote another fan. Yet another added, "This is supremely bad casting. Lucille Ball used a lot of facial expressions. Nicole Kidman has...none. Debra Messing has already DONE Ball's style of comedy and done it very well. Messing is clearly the best choice!"