Javier Bardem In Talks to Portray Desi Arnaz in Amazon & Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos”

Javier Bardem may soon be saying, “Lucy, I’m Home!”

The 51-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor is in talks to play Desi Arnaz opposite Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball in Amazon and Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos.

Javier Bardem

The film centers on the relationship between the I Love Lucy stars. Having penned the screenplay, Academy Award winner Sorkin also will direct the film from Amazon Studios and Escape Artists.

The film 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 end their marriage.

Sorkin originally was going to pen the script only, when Cate Blanchett was circling, but after enjoying himself on the drama The Trial of the Chicago 7, he decided to attach himself as a director as well over the summer.

After The Trial of the Chicago 7 bowed on Netflix in October, Being the Ricardos began to gain momentum with Kidman and Bardem quickly interested in the couple behind television’s first family. Deals still need to close for both actors, but even if and when they do, when production will start is still up in the air as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to push productions throughout the country.

After years as one of Hollywood’s most prolific screenwriters with such classics as A Few Good Men, Moneyball and his Oscar-winning The Social NetworkSorkin has found himself more and more behind the camera as well. His directing debut was the drama Molly’s Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, and he followed that up with The Trial of the Chicago 7.

Bardem most recently starred in The Roads Not Taken and can next be seen in Legendary’s DuneHe also is set to play King Triton in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Star in Netflix’s Series “Sweet Magnolias”

It’s a sweetday for JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress is set to lead the cast Netflix’s upcoming series Sweet Magnolias. She replaces Monica Potter who had been originally tapped for the series.

Joanna Garcia Swisher

Sweet Magnolias, based on Sherryl Woods’ popular series of novels published by Harlequin imprint MIRA books, is set in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina. It centers on three women, played by Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley, best friends since childhood.

Swisher will play Maddie Townsend, a low-key but resolute, warm and loving woman with a vocabulary like Southern poetry. She finds herself at a crossroads in her life and her best friends are trying desperately to convince her that now is the time for reinvention.

Woods executive produce with Sheryl J. Anderson, who also serves as showrunner. 

Norman Buckley serves as co-executive producer and will direct six episodes of the series, which is currently filming.

Swisher is known for her starring roles in Kevin (Probably) Save the World and The Astronaut Wives Club, and recurring as Ariel on ABC’s Once Upon A Time

Garcia to Star as the Little Mermaid on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”

It’s official… JoAnna Garcia is heading under the sea for her latest role.

Following rumors of her Arieltastic role nearly two years ago, ABC has confirmed that the 34-year-old half-Cuban actress has been cast as the Little Mermaid for the upcoming third season of Once Upon a Time.

Joanna Garcia

For now, Garcia is expected to appear in two episodes of the hit fairytale drama, according to TV Guide Magazine.

It was revealed at Comic-Con that the Little Mermaid would be making an appearance in the new season, which kicks off on September 29, with a teaser revealing Ariel/Little Mermaid.

As is ordinary practice on the ABC fairy tale drama, expect the Little Mermaid to have a slight twist from the 1989 animated feature classic.

Garcia’s casting comes weeks after Once Upon a Time cast Rose McIver in the role of Tinker Bell, with executive producer Adam Horowitz hinting that she will have a “surprising connection” to a main character.

Garcia recently starred in NBC‘s short-lived comedy Animal Practice and was a regular on The WB‘s Reba. She has also recently recurred on Royal Pains and starred in ABC’s Better with You.

Garcia’s Ariel Adventure?

Once Upon A Time’s Lana Parrilla could soon be sharing screen time with fellow Latina actress Joanna Garcia.

The 32-year-old half-Cuban-American actress could reportedly make guest-star on ABC’s new hit series, playing The Little Mermaid.

joanna-garcia

During the American Music Awards, Once Upon A Time’s Jennifer Morrison told E! Online producers of Garcia’s possible involvement on the show.

“They are after Joanna Garcia for one of the roles, which would be amazing,” revealed Morrison

While Morrison didn’t specify which role the “Gossip Girl” and “Reba” star would fill, PerezHilton.com is reporting that she’ll play The Little Mermaid’s Ariel in a yet-to-be determined episode.

Once Upon A Time—which has already featured Snow White and Cinderella—is ABC’s breakout hit of the season.