J.K. Simmons explains how Aaron Sorkin convinced him to do Being the Ricardos. Known as the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind The Social Network, the Lucille Ball biopic is Sorkin's third film as a writer/director after Molly's Game and The Trial of the Chicago 7, both of which were also nominated for Best Screenplay. Now, it looks like the auteur has another awards season darling on his hands, as Being the Ricardos has already scored several nominations at this past Golden Globes and the upcoming PGA Awards, and will likely result in Sorkin's fifth overall Oscar nod.
Simmons, an Academy Award-winning actor for Whiplash stars in Being the Ricardos as William Frawley, the actor who played Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy. Simmons stars alongside Nina Arianda as Vivian Vance, the actress who portrayed Ethel, making up the couple who lived next door to the iconic television couple, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are portrayed by Hollywood heavy-hitters Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. The film chronicles one week in the couple's life during production of I Love Lucy, as Ball is accused of being a communist during America's Red Scare.
According to Variety, Simmons was initially reluctant to take the part in Being the Richardos despite Sorkin's involvement, since the actor doesn't usually portray real-life figures. But when the writer/director assured Simmons he wouldn't have to do an exact impersonation of William Frawley and Fred Mertz, the actor quickly changed his mind. Read what he had to say below:
"I wasn’t all that interested, despite Aaron’s involvement. I’ve always been reluctant to portray real people, especially 20th century people who have been in the public eye. But Sorkin emphasized, “We’re not interested in mimicry; we’re interested in who these people are ... That was all the reassurance I needed to get over my fear. It was a scary prospect for all four of us to play these iconic people ... Obviously I’m very glad I did the film."
Simmons actually wasn't the only member of cast who was reluctant to take on their respective roles. In fact, Kidman and Bardem both tried to back out of Being the Ricardos, citing the immense responsibility that comes with portraying iconic figures. Obviously, Sorkin reeled them back in and convinced them to stay on board. In Simmons' case, he and Sorkin's ties go way back, as the actor was an understudy in the Broadway production of Sorkin's breakthrough film, A Few Good Men.
It's understandable that the cast of Being the Ricardos were reluctant about taking on their roles, as portraying iconic figures like the stars on I Love Lucy comes with an incredible challenge and responsibility. Simmons certainly should be glad he stayed on board, however, as the actor has now firmly positioned himself in the running for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod, which would be his second nomination in that category. Other than Being the Ricardos, Simmons can be seem reprising his fan-favorite role as J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: No Way Home; a character he seemingly had no hesitations about taking on again.
Source: Variety