Since it was confirmed that Netflix’s upcoming Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde was given an NC-17 rating by the Motion Picture Association, the film has been shrouded in controversy as public curiosity grew about how explicit the scenes would be.
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In an interview with L’Officiel magazine, Golden Globe nominee Ana de Armas has finally spoken out about the rating given to their film. She revealed that, compared to other shows and movies, Blonde doesn’t feature that much explicit content.
“I didn’t understand why that happened,” Armas said. “I can tell you a number of shows or movies that are way more explicit with a lot more sexual content than Blonde. But to tell this story it is important to show all these moments in Marilyn’s life that made her end up the way that she did. It needed to be explained. Everyone [in the cast] knew we had to go to uncomfortable places. I wasn’t the only one.”
Described as a fictional take on the life story of Marilyn Monroe, Blonde is written and directed by Andrew Dominik, based on Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 novel of the same name. Joining de Armas are Adrien Brody, Julianne Nicholson, Bobby Cannavale, Caspar Phillipson, Toby Huss, Sara Paxton, and David Warshofksy.
“One of America’s most acclaimed novelists boldly re-imagines one of America’s most enduring icons in Blonde — the National Book Award-nominated bestseller by Joyce Carol Oates,” reads the book synopsis. “The legend of Marilyn Monroe — aka Norma Jeane Baker — comes provocatively alive in this powerful tale of Hollywood myth and heartbreaking reality. Marilyn Monroe lives — reborn to tell her untold history; her story of a star created to shine brightest in the Hollywood firmament before her fall to earth. Blonde is a dazzling fictional portrait of the intricate inner life of the idolized and desired movie star as only the inimitable Joyce Carol Oates could paint it.”
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The film is produced by Plan B Entertainment, with Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey Landon, and Scott Robertson serving as producers. The project has been in development since 2012, with Naomi Watts and Jessica Chastain previously attached for the leading role.
Blonde is scheduled to make its debut on September 28.
