Andrew Dominik’s cinematic adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 novel will likely portray Diana, Princess of Wales, as no other 20th-century blonde has been more challenging. The film is rumored to debut on Netflix in 2022.
Unsettling teaser
Blonde’s one-minute trailer debuted on June 16. Monroe (Ana de Armas) cries into her vanity. The actress smiles coquettishly to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” We see her dancing in a Gentlemen Prefer Blondes scenario at a premiere and smiling in the mirror. The teaser suggested a September 23 release.
A new teaser was released on July 28. Monroe’s dressing room door smashes as she tries to think. Bobby Cannavale plays her second husband, Joe DiMaggio. “How did you start?” he asks. Where do we start? In the audition area, a cigar-smoking CEO welcomes Monroe. Monroe explains. Noteworthy? Adrien Brody plays Arthur Miller, Monroe’s third husband. Monroe loses control of her car and crashes into a tree.
The story may span Monroe’s childhood until death.
It begins with a foster child lamenting her “Daddy” and concludes with her believing JFK killed her after a relationship. The biography would be incomplete without Monroe’s convoluted background. Oates wrote about Monroe after being likened to 15-year-old beauty contest winner Norma Jean Baker.
If Blonde follows Oates’ novel, its tale will be unique.
Blonde is a genuine depiction of Monroe’s 36 years, though. Noemi Dominik used Oates’ Norma Jeane reference in his writing. Monroe’s “golden cotton-candy hairstyle” make-up artist Whitey and director Billy Wilder appear in her 700-page novel (1959).
Even without Oates, Blonde’s cast is Oscar-worthy.
Julianne Nicholson plays Gladys and Ana de Armas Monroe. Bobby Cannavale plays Joe DiMaggio in “The Ex-Athlete,” Adrien Brody “The Playwright,” and Caspar Phillipson “The President.”
Andrew Dominik’s buddy Brad Pitt produced Blonde.
Andrew Dominick’s documentary presents a unique viewpoint on Marilyn Monroe’s life and times. Known for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) and Killing Them Softly (2011) starring Brad Pitt (2012). Pitt’s decision to produce Blonde through Plan B would show his trust in Dominik, even if both pictures flopped at the box office.
Ana de Armas’ performance in Blonde deserves praise.
After nine months of ADR and speech coaching, the Cuban actor mastered Monroe’s breathy voice. Jennifer Johnson, Margot Robbie’s costume designer, developed and applied all the clothes and make-up. Oates tweeted in September that Andrew Dominik and Ana de Armas made this magic possible.
Problems have hampered manufacturing.
Death isn’t caused only by pandemics. Jessica Chastain and Naomi Watts have been linked to the remake since 2010. The film’s release date has been pushed back to 2022 because Netflix felt Dominik’s interpretation would be too graphic. Nicolas Winding Refn declined to screen Blonde out of competition at Cannes.
NC-17 ratings may matter.
Blonde’s delay is logical given its NC-17 sexual violence rating. Monroe gets raped by the studio’s producer on her first audition. After her “audition,” she got the role, which launched her career. Oates’ protagonists are polite, used to getting what they want, and surrounded by “little people.” David Warshofsky playing Mr. Z, suggests this sequence will likely be used.
This collaboration features Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Blonde Dominik is buddies with the Bad Seeds. Nick Cave’s 2016 documentary One More Time with Feeling was about his son Arthur’s death. Blonde’s soundtrack was recorded in London.