For the last several years,Andrew Dominikhas been developing an adaptation ofJoyce Carol Oates' acclaimed novelBlondeat Netflix, and at long last, he has settled on hisMarilyn Monroe. Multiple sources tell Collider thatBlade Runner 2049starAna de Armasis Dominik’s choice to play the Hollywood icon best known for films such asSome Like It Hot,Gentlemen Prefer BlondesandThe Seven Year Itch.
A representative for Netflix could not immediately be reached. Sources caution that while de Armas is in early talks, she does not have a closed deal yet, nor has the project been greenlit yet by the streaming company, though others say production could start as soon as this summer.
Dominik wrote the script and will produce along withBrad PittandDede Gardner’s Plan B banner. Pitt starred in two of Dominik’s films,The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert FordandKilling Them Softly.Blondefollows the talentedNorma Jeane Mortensonas she blossoms into movie star Marilyn Monroe. But after a series of failed relationships and heartbreaking tragedy, she spirals into drug addiction and mental instability.
Dominikpreviously told Colliderthat he believesBlonde"will be one of the ten best movies ever made," explaining that “it’s a film about the human condition. It tells the story of how a childhood trauma shapes an adult who’s split between a public and a private self. It’s basically the story of every human being, but it’s using a certain sense of association that we have with something very familiar, just through media exposure. It takes all of those things and turns the meanings of them inside out, according to how she feels, which is basically how we live. It’s how we all operate in the world. It just seems to me to be very resonant. I think the project has got a lot of really exciting possibilities, in terms of what can be done, cinematically.”
Speaking of which, Dominik has alsosaid in past interviewsthatBlondewill be “a little more accessible than what I’ve done before” even though the film “has very little dialogue in it,” adding that he’s “really excited about doing a movie that’s an avalanche of images and events.”
The project has had a long development history, withNaomi WattsandJessica Chastainslated to play Marilyn in past incarnations. De Armas may not have the same wealth of experience as a lead, but she has been making a name for herself as a rising star over the past four years. The Cuban actress broke out inEli Roth’s infidelity thrillerKnock Knockbefore landing key roles inTodd Phillips' arms dealer dramedyWar Dogsand, perhaps most memorably, asRyan Gosling’s holographic love interest Joi inDenis Villenueve’sBlade Runner 2049. De Armas has already wrapped several high-profile features includingRian Johnson’s murder mysteryKnives OutandDanny Boyle’s romantic musicalYesterday, and she’s currently working onOlivier Assayas' thrillerWasp NetworkwithPenelope CruzandEdgar Ramirez.
De Armas is represented by CAA, Impression Entertainment and Kuranda Management.
