-by Matt Joseph in News
Speaking with us earlier today to promote his newest film, Killing Them Softly, director Andrew Dominik confirmed that Naomi Watts is still attached to his upcoming Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde. Though the actress was initially rumoured to be attached to the lead role, reports that emerged this summer said that “it’s likely that the filmmakers would go in a different direction.” Now, however, we receive confirmation from the director himself that Watts is still on board and he plans to shoot the film next year.
“I hope to shoot it next year. Naomi Watts is attached at the moment,” said Dominik. When pushed for more details on his plans for the film, the director told us “it’s best not to talk about it right now.”
Sorry guys, we tried.
Based on the book by Joyce Carol Oates, Blonde is expected to be pretty large in scope, especially when compared to the last film we saw about Monroe, My Week With Marilyn. While that film wasn’t bad by any means, it wasn’t the Monroe biopic that most fans were hoping for. It looks like Blonde will provide a better view of the iconic figure by encompassing more of her life, rather than one specific period.
“It’s a really sprawling, emotional nightmare fairy-tale type movie, and I really want to do it real bad… It’s a story about an abandoned orphan who gets lost in the woods,” Dominik said at Cannes.
As for Watts’ involvement, I’m definitely happy to hear that she’s still attached. Considering that the film is set to shoot next year, Watts is likely locked in, despite not being confirmed just yet. And as I said, that’s great news. Naomi Watts has the looks and acting chops to pull off the role and I think she’ll flourish under a talented director like Andrew Dominik.
[Excerpt from the interview]
Q: Both films (Jesse James and Killing Them Softly) are focused on crime and criminals, what draws you to that genre?
Andrew Dominik: I like extreme people, I’m not really interested in average people. I like people who are flawed. But these are also the easiest films for me to make. Well, Jesse James, for me, was a true labour of love but Killing Them Softly was a movie that I could make. The next film I have is about Marilyn Monroe, so it’s all about one woman.
Q: Speaking of the Marilyn Monroe film, titled Blonde, can you tell us anything more about it?
Andrew Dominik: Well I hope to shoot it next year. Naomi Watts is attached at the moment.
Q: Is she confirmed?
Andrew Dominik: No, just attached. It’s probably best not to talk about it though.
4 comments:
I guess they want her, especially AD, but Naomi has her hesitation, like she said in the THR roundtable, her habit of trying to back away because of her nervousness about the role. Of course she is running a tight schedule right now.
Glad that she is still attached.
I don't think anyone else can do this role except Naomi.
Naomi must do this one. It'll be very rewarding, for herself and us.
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