Andrew Dominik hasn’t released a movie since 2012’s scathing indictment of America, “Killing Them Softly.” That movie has only aged better over time and whet our appetite for “Blonde,” Dominik’s first film in over 8 years and a fictionalized chronicle of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe.
Alas, “Blonde” has now been moved by Netflix into a 2022 release date. The film was supposed to have its world premiere at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, only to then be pulled out of the Venezia lineup by Netflix. Recent rumours have pointed towards the sudden move having to do with Dominik and the streaming giant fighting over final cut.
Back in June, Cannes general delegate Thierry Frémaux said that Netflix had turned down an out of competition slot for “Blonde”. Frémaux said about the film, “Andrew Dominik’s film [‘Blonde’] could have been ready — it’s beautiful, I saw it.” Maybe they should have just accepted the invite.
The film had received major boosts in the wake of its main actress, Ana De Armas’, meteoric rise in popularity since the release of her star-making performance in “Knives Out”. She was no doubt primed to deliver another killer role in Dominik’s re-imagining of one of Hollywood’s first megastars.