Netflix has dropped the first full-length trailer of the latest Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, starring Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody. The film, premiering at the Venice Film Festival, is one of the most anticipated films releasing in the latter half of 2022.
What is the plot of the Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde?
The film is an adaptation of Blonde, a novel of the same title. It is worth noting that while the film is billed as a biopic, the Blonde novel is actually a work of fiction, with its author Joyce Carol Oates previously saying it “should not be regarded as biography.” Nevertheless, there are a few key points from the book that translate on the screen.
It begins with Marilyn being dragged between foster homes and longing for her absent father, and finishes with her rumoured assassination after an alleged affair with former President John Kennedy. Central to the plot is Monroe’s Hollywood acting career, however her formative experiences are also covered.
Watch the new trailer below
Who has been cast in Blonde?
De Armas portrays Monroe herself while Brody takes on the role of Arthur Miller, her third and final husband who was subject to an FBI investigation in the early stages of their relationship due to alleged communist ties. Also cast in the film are Julianne Nicholson as Monroe’s mother, Bobby Cannavale as ex-husband and athlete Joe DiMaggio and Caspar Phillipson as JFK. The film is directed by Andrew Dominik and produced by Brad Pitt, who has a longstanding friendship with the Australian director.
While the film so far has many skeptical about its quality and how it will likely be received, de Armas has already been praised for her devotion to the character and transformation into Monroe. The actor spent nine-months training with a dialogue coach to nail Monroe’s breathy voice, alongside ADR sessions where she re-recorded audio after seeing her footage. Oates tweeted in September her delight as de Armas’ transformation, saying the portrayal is “An exquisite portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Ana de Armas and director Andrew Dominik; one without the others could perhaps not have worked this magic.”
When does the film release in Australia?
Blonde is slated for release in Australia on September 23, 2022.
Image: Instagram
