There seems to be quite a bit of confusion surrounding Andrew Dominik’s upcoming Netflix feature, “Blonde.” First, is it really a biopic? The answer to that one is simple, as the film is based on Joyce Carol Oates‘ novel of the same name that was written as a historical fiction novel about Marilyn Monroe. So, no, it’s not a biopic. Second, why is it NC-17? Well, that is a question we’ll have to wait and see about, as the film is expected to have some frank sexuality and is confirmed to include a scene depicting sexual assault. But the third and main question that many seem to have is why Cuban actress Ana de Armas was cast as Monroe in the film? Shouldn’t Dominik and the rest of the folks involved cast someone without an accent? That will certainly continue to be debated, but there are some high-profile people coming out to voice their support for de Armas, as fans on social media continue to question the casting.
For those concerned about what the Marilyn Monroe Estate has to say about the casting, look no further. In a statement sent to Variety, the Estate of the late actress voiced nothing but support for Ana de Armas as Monroe.
“Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history,” said Marc Rosen, president of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which owns the Marilyn Monroe Estate. “Any actor that steps into that role knows they have big shoes to fill. Based on the trailer alone, it looks like Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity, and vulnerability. We can’t wait to see the film in its entirety!”
Now, for a second vote of confidence, we have Brad Pitt. Why is Brad Pitt chiming in about “Blonde?” The actor’s Plan B production company is behind “Blonde,” which could make him a bit biased. However, when you see what he says about de Armas, it’s clear the producer has nothing but the utmost confidence that people will be blown away by her performance.
“She is phenomenal in it,” said Pitt (via ET). “That’s a tough dress to fill. It was 10 years in the making. It wasn’t until we found Ana that we could get it across the finish line.”
Judging just by the images from the film and the trailers, it’s clear that Ana de Armas sure looks the part of Marilyn Monroe. It’ll be interesting to see just how much her accent affects audiences’ thoughts on her performance. “Blonde” is set to debut at this year’s Venice International Film Festival before hitting Netflix on September 28.