Nicole Kidman to play Lucille Ball? The casting choice has a lot of people confused

Nicole Kidman possibly taking on the role of Lucille Ball has led people to question whether the actress can master the slapstick comedy and dynamic facial expressions that made Ball one of a kind. 

Although not a done deal, a certain casting possibility is raising a lot of eyebrows … and questions.

Nicole Kidman is currently in negotiations to play comedic queen Lucille Ball in the upcoming film “Being the Ricardos,” Deadline recently reported.

Directed by Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin — who is coming off the recent success of Netflix’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” — the film takes place during a tumultuous production week of “I Love Lucy.”

This wouldn’t be Kidman’s first time dabbling in classic sitcoms. In 2005, the actress starred as Samantha Stephens in a romantic-comedy spinoff of “Bewitched.” The film was a major flop, earning a 25% critic score and 28% audience score, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Kidman possibly taking on the role of Ball, though, led to people questioning whether the actress can master the slapstick comedy and dynamic facial expressions that made Ball one of a kind.

Since the announcement on Monday, there’s been a push for actress Debra Messing to take on the role. Messing previously did an impression of the classic “I Love Lucy” “Vitameatavegamin” scene during an episode of “Will & Grace,” according to Entertainment Tonight.

Messing even began retweeting messages campaigning for her to take on the role.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem, meanwhile, is in talks to take on the role of Lucy’s husband and comedic straight man, Desi Arnaz, Deadline reported. This creative choice hasn’t sparked controversy, but some people on Twitter offered up the suggestion of actor Oscar Issac possibly taking on the role. Both Bardem and Issac star in the upcoming film “Dune.”

The film’s production timeline is uncertain due to the pandemic, but the film will be produced in collaboration with Amazon Studios, according to Deadline. Desi Arnaz Jr. — Ball and Desi Arnaz’s only son — is listed as an executive producer for the film.