How Lucie Arnaz Persuaded Aaron Sorkin to Write and Direct ‘Being the Ricardos’

'The Social Network' director Aaron Sorkin was hesitant to take on the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz biopic 'Being the Ricardos' but had a change of heart after talking with the famous couple's daughter Lucie Arnaz.

by Melissa Mitas

Published on November 13, 2021

3 min read

Aaron Sorkin says ‘I Love Lucy’ is ‘nostalgic’

Sorkin was immediately intrigued by the idea for a biopic on Ball and Arnaz. Still, The Social Network director was hesitant to take on the project that chronicles the relationship of the Hollywood couple still beloved by fans.

“In terms of pressure, I kind of max out no matter what,” he told the Hollywood Reporter. “But as word got out that I was doing this, what I discovered is that there are people who are really passionate about I Love Lucy. For me, it’s nostalgic. I remember watching I Love Lucy reruns when I was home sick from school.”

The West Wing creator noted how complex the television icons were, both with backgrounds that audiences may find surprising.

“When most people think of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, they’re thinking of Lucy and Ricky,” Sorkin explained. “But Lucille Ball was more of a Rita Hayworth, Jessica Rabbit-looking actress. And the road that she took to I Love Lucy was an interesting one. The road that Desi took to I Love Lucy was an interesting one.”

Lucie Arnaz gave Aaron Sorkin permission to ‘go for it’

Sorkin admitted it took him “about a year-and-a-half before a yes” to head the film. When asked his opinion on why this is the first film on Ball’s life ever to be made, he referred to Lucie as the expert on her parents. Sorkin also credited Ball and Arnaz’s daughter with convincing him to run with the story.

“That’s probably better asked to Lucie Arnaz, who I should point out was very helpful in getting me to a yes,” he commented on the lack of previous movies on Ball. “We all had lunch together, and she said to me, ‘I know my mother wasn’t an easy woman. Take the gloves off.’ In other words, you can go for it. And without that …”

Sorkin felt a freedom in depicting Ball and Arnaz’s relationship and true personalities – flaws and all – thanks to Lucie giving her permission not to hold back.

“There were just all of these interesting conflicts, and that’s what I’m looking for,” he said. “Points of friction that add up to something that you can write about. … Lucy, in particular, was not an easy woman, and I just saw the potential for scenes that could add up to something. And I thought, ‘OK, if I swing well, I’ll hit it.'”

‘I Love Lucy’ sources were scarce

The film stars Nicole Kidman as Lucy, Javier Bardem as Desi, Nina Arianda as Vivian Vance, and J. K. Simmons as Fred Mertz. Sorkin had a hard time finding direct sources for details from the I Love Lucy era.

“There was no one alive to talk to for this, for first-hand research,” Sorkin remarked. “We made contact with a man who was a camera operator on I Love Lucy, but he wasn’t able to tell me much that I needed. And there are books, but most of the books, frankly, aren’t very good.”

Thanks to Arnaz’s previous memoir and Lucie providing some original film footage, Sorkin had some meaty material from which to draw.

“Desi wrote an autobiography, however, and he’s a great storyteller, so there were some terrific stories and he doesn’t mind giving you bad news,” Sorkin said. “What was also very helpful was the home movie footage that Lucie Arnaz, their daughter, was able to provide. You had asked me what drew me to this, and one thing was just how different these two were from what the perception of them was and continues to be.”