Deadline reports that the flick, called "Lucy and Desi," is currently casting to find its other titular star, with producers reportedly looking for a big name to play Ball's on- and off-screen husband, Desi Arnaz. According to the trade, Blanchett's fellow Oscar winner Javier Bardem is being floated as one possibility.
Stars of a similar wattage are also reportedly being sought to play the other members of the key "I Love Lucy" foursome, William Frawley and Vivian Vance, a.k.a. Lucy and Ricky's friends and landlords, Fred and Ethel. No specific names have been made public just yet, though.
Blanchett was first linked to the feature back in 2015, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, is still not officially on board, but is currently in talks. The script for "Lucy and Desi" was penned by Aaron Sorkin, and chronicles the relationship of Ball and Arnaz, who were married for 20 years before splitting in 1960. The couple's children, Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill and Desi Arnaz Jr., are producing the authorized biopic, which will be based in part on memoirs written by both of their late parents.
Stay tuned to see who they find to play the Desi/Ricky to Blanchett's Lucy.