Fans are eagerly waiting for the new Marilyn Monroe biographical drama directed by Andrew Dominic – ‘Blonde‘. The movie’s producer is Brad Pitt and is expected to be an absolute treat to watch. The lead role is essayed by the Cuban actress, Ana de Armas. The actress also appeared in movies like ‘No Time To Die’ and ‘Knives Out’. With a brilliant cast, direction, and production, ‘Blonde‘ has hopes of winning an Oscar.
Recently, the film got a rating of NC-17, according to UK rules, and an 18+ rating. This made the movie the first one on Netflix to get such a rating for extreme sexual content. The previous depiction of the famous singer and sex symbol maintained a sober look on screen. But in the upcoming feature film, things are going in a completely different direction. You can count on raunchy sex scenes.
Read More: ‘Money Heist: Korea’ To ‘Ms. Marvel’, New Shows To Watch On Netflix, Disney+ And More In June
When Will ‘Blonde’ Hit The Streaming Network?
‘Blonde‘ will premiere on Netflix exclusively. The Australian director and writer Andrew Dominic is keeping the release date of the movie a complete hush-hush, though he already dropped a hint that the movie might launch in September. There is a chance the movie will have its premiere at the Venice Film Festival a month before hitting Netflix. If the movie shows signs of being an award winner, then the streaming giant might put it for a limited theatrical release, just like the network did with movies like the ‘Irishman’ and ‘The Power of the Dog’. If nothing of that sort happens, then Netflix plans to release it directly for the whole world to see.
Is ‘Blonde’ Based On A Book?
The answer to the book question is yes. It is based on Joyce Carol Oates’ bestseller about the model-singer-actress Marilyn Monroe’s private life published in the year 2000. It already has a television adaptation. The New York Times describes it as “part Gothic, part kaleidoscopic novel of ideas, part lurid celebrity potboiler”. The director already revealed that he started working on the movie in 2010. However, due to the pandemic, the movie derailed a bit from its track. Oates is already a fan of the prowess of director Dominik and can’t wait to see the movie.
(just a parenthetical aside–I have seen the rough cut of Andrew Dominick's adaptation & it is startling, brilliant, very disturbing & [perhaps most surprisingly] an utterly "feminist" interpretation… not sure that any male director has ever achieved anything this.) https://t.co/zUubjH5yqV
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) August 10, 2020
How Much Does ‘Blonde’ Reveal About Marilyn Monroe’s Life?
The official plot states that the movie is about “the boldly reimagined private story of the world’s most famous sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. The film is a fictional portrait of the model, actress, and singer during the ’50s and ’60s, told through the modern lens of celebrity culture”. The fact that the movie is fictional is also an important fact to remember. Dominik revealed that he wants to focus on Monroe’s own take on life. He wants to split up both the public and personal aspects of her life and unfold the difference between the two. “On [the] simplest level, it’s about an unwanted child who becomes the most wanted person in the world and can’t deal with all of that desire coming at them,” said Dominik.
It was always the director’s dream to turn this movie into reality, which is finally happening, all thanks to Netflix. The budget of the film is $22 million. “It’s a really sprawling, emotional nightmare fairy-tale type movie. It’s a story about an abandoned orphan who gets lost in the woods,” added Dominik.
Meet The Star Of The Movie
The Cuban actress Ana de Armas is set to play the lead in the movie. It’s no news to the fans that the movie will mainly focus on the childhood of the singer. “It details a childhood drama, and mistaken ideas that she carries into her adult life, and she sees the world through the lens of those ideas,” said Dominik. “I read everything I could about Marilyn,” de Armas told Vanity Fair. “It wasn’t just about transforming physically to look the part, it was about understanding her emotional life, how intelligent she was, and how fragile,” she added. The actress’s own dog, Elvis plays Monroe’s pooch, Mafia, in the movie.
Ana’s acting prowess has already impressed her ‘Knives Out‘ co-star Jamie Lee Curtis. “I dropped to the floor,’ recalled Curtis, and added ‘I couldn’t believe it. Ana was completely gone. She was Marilyn.” Lily Fisher is going to play the young Norma Jeane in the movie.
Who Are The Other Cast Members?
The supporting cast list is still in hiding from the eyes of the fans, but some information could be salvaged. Monroe’s husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller will be played by Bobby Cannavale and Adrien Brody, respectively. They go by ‘the Ex-athlete’ and ‘the Playwright’. Caspar Phillipson, who already starred as John F. Kennedy in ‘Jackie’ is again taking back the role of the US President. Some of the esteemed names from Hollywood are themselves involved in the movie. According to sources, “Michael Masini plays her ‘Some Like it Hot‘ co-star Tony Curtis and Ravil Isyanov is the film’s director Billy Wilder.” Meanwhile, Julianne Nicholson is stepping into the shoes of Marilyn Monroe’s mother Gladys Pearl Baker.
Why Is The NC-17 Rating Such A Big Deal?
NC-17 rating is close to a death bell in Hollywood. Most of the theatres refuse to show such movies. The theatres cut such movies under the order of MPAA as these movies can’t allow viewers who are under 17. Still, it’s not a big deal for Netflix and they are not going to go back on their previous decision. Director Andrew Dominik admitted his surprise at the rating. “I thought we’d coloured inside the lines,” he told Vulture. “I think if I’m given the choice, I’d rather go and see the NC-17 version of the Marilyn Monroe story. Because we know that her life was on the edge, clearly, from the way it ended. Do you want to see the warts-and-all version or do you want to see that sanitised version?” The Australian filmmaker joked that “there’s something in it to offend everyone.” Get ready for this cinematic jewel.
Read More: Jenna Ortega’s Look As Wednesday Addams Unveiled By Netflix. Watch Teaser
Read More: “Blonde”- Ana De Armas’ Portrayal Of Marilyn Monroe Is Confirmed For NC-17 Rating
