Tony Hale, best known for his roles in Arrested Development and Veep, has joined the cast of the upcoming I Love Lucy movie Being the Ricardos. He was cast this week alongside Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy, and Hale will play the role of the sitcom’s executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer. Shawkat and Lacy will embody the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr.
They join previously cast stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, who will portray Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda are playing their I Love Lucy co-stars William Frawley (Fred) and Vivian Vance (Ethel). Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Nelson Franklin (Veep), John Rubinstein (Family), Linda Lavin (Alice, The Good Wife), Robert Pine (CHiPs) and Christopher Denham (Billions) also have supporting roles.
The Amazon Studios film is being directed by Aaron Sorkin. Here’s the synopsis:
The story is set during one production week of I Love Lucy — Monday table read through Friday audience filming — when Lucy and Desi face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could ruin their marriage. The classic 1950s sitcom focused on the happily married odd couple, though their real-life relationship was infamously more complex and tumultuous than the fictional characters they portray.
I’m pretty excited about this movie. I loved I Love Lucy growing up, and I am really impressed with the cast and director on board. Being the Ricardos is currently in production.
via: Variety