Director Andrew Dominik feels that it takes an NC-17 rating to most effectively tell Marilyn Monroe’s story. The upcoming film Blonde, directed by Dominik and featuring Ana de Armas as Monroe, has just been given its official rating by the Motion Picture Association. It has been rated NC-17 for its racy content, with the film apparently featuring enough of it to surpass an R rating. If you ask Dominik, however, this news comes as no surprise as that had been the plan from the start.
Praising Netflix for standing by the film despite its rating, the director added, “It’s much easier to support stuff when you like it. It’s much harder when you don’t. I have nothing but gratitude for Netflix.”
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Per the MPA, an NC-17 rating means that no viewers under the age of 17 may be admitted to see the film. By contrast, filmgoers under that age may see R-rated films as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. What helps keep the film intact without the need to censor it enough to bring down its rating is that it will be streaming on Netflix, where Dominik didn’t experience studio pressure to develop a more theater-friendly movie.
Blonde Tells the Story of Hollywood Icon Marilyn Monroe
United Artists
Blonde has been in development for years. Originally, Naomi Watts was on board to take the role, though she was later replaced by Jessica Chastain. When that casting also fell through, the door was open for Ana De Armas to get the part. The actress has since explained how difficult it was to land the role as a Latina performer, but she was so dedicated to getting the “dream” role that she gave it her all, and ultimately got the part.
Blonde is directed by Andrew Dominick. It is also written by Dominick and based on the original Joyce Carol Oates book of the same name. Along with Ana de Armas, the film stars Adrian Brody, Bobby Cannavale, and Julianne Nicholson. The movie will be released on Netflix in 2022 but doesn’t have an official release date at this time.
