Nicole Kidman Reveals Why She Was Terrified To Take On The Role Of Lucille Ball

When it was announced that actress Nicole Kidman would portray Lucille Ball in the Aaron Sorkin-directed biopic Being The Ricardos, fans exposed their fury at the casting decision. She may be an Academy Award winning actress (The Hours) and married to popular country star Keith Urban, but the American-born Australian actress was not what some “I Love Lucy” fans had in mind.

Now, 54-year-old Kidman is opening up about her reaction to that backlash and how it had her so thrown off that she became terrified to actually take on the role of Lucy.

First, here’s a look at Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball in the trailer below for Being The Ricardos. 

Nicole Kidman Terrified To Play Lucille Ball

“I had massive trepidation about a month prior, and Aaron had to get on the phone and send me emails saying, ‘You’ve got this,’” Kidman confessed in an interview with Variety.

Sorkin’s support helped her feel more comfortable, with her adding, “It was frightening but incredibly exciting.”

Related: Nicole Kidman Admits Playing Lucille Ball Has Put Her ‘Way Out Of My Comfort Zone’

Sorkin himself has always stood by the casting decision. 

“We made this movie during COVID, and so in Zooming with Nicole and [co-star] Javier Bardem and everyone else, I’d make it very clear to them that I am not looking for a physical or vocal impersonation of these people,” he told the Hollywood Reporter last week.

“I know that Nicole was working on Lucy’s voice for a while, and I wanted to relieve her of that,” Sorkin continued. “As far as audience anticipation, that’s something I’m just not worried about. I’m certain that when people see the movie, they’ll leave feeling that Nicole has made a very solid case for herself.”

Critics Praise Nicole Kidman

Critics have already fallen in love with Nicole Kidman’s performance as Lucy. Her performance is even generating some Oscar buzz.

“Kidman embodies the essence of Lucille Ball, especially in her mannerisms during the rehearsals and filming of episodes,” Variety editor Clayton Davis wrote. “She very well may break your heart, demanding the viewer’s sympathy and a best actress nomination may seem almost certainly in the cards for her.”

“‘Being The Ricardos’ left me in a puddle of tears. What a beautiful and deeply moving behind-the-scenes look at the pressures and complexities involved in making that show – highs, lows and everything in between. Nicole Kidman is INCREDIBLE,” stated Collider’s Perri Nemiroff.

Related: Nicole Kidman Transforms Into Lucille Ball On Set Of New Movie

Could Being The Ricardos Earn Her Another Oscar Nod?

TCM host Dave Karger wrote, “Last night’s first big screening of ‘Being The Ricardos’ definitely silenced the skeptics. A 5th Oscar nomination for Nicole Kidman seems especially likely.”

While fans were initially skeptical of Nicole Kidman being able to pull off the role of iconic funny woman Lucille Ball, it sounds like the Oscar winner might have done just that. At least, that’s what the critics seem to think.

The true test will be how the public reacts. Especially all of the tried and true “I Love Lucy” fans. No doubt these are some big shoes to fill.

Still, let’s hope Lucy fans give her a chance when the movie is released to the public next month because it seems like she deserves it! 

You can check out Being The Ricardos for yourself in theaters on December 10 or via Amazon Prime Video on December 21.