The release of Netflix’s Blonde on September 28 has brought with it an eclectic cast of characters, many of whom are based on real life people.

The fictionalised biopic of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe is based on a novel of the same name written by Joyce Carol Oates and published in 2000. Director Andrew Dominik takes several liberties with how the story is told, with critics saying that some of the story beats were almost exploitative.

The film revolves around the person behind Marilyn Monroe as it explores how she navigated her life, personal issues, mood disorders and a burgeoning drug habit. 

Also Read | Blonde review: Ana de Armas’ Marilyn Monroe is forsaken, all too human

Who is Mr Z?

One of the characters that Ana de Armas’ characters is introduced to towards the middle of the film is Mr Z, a senior official of “The Studio”. In the film, Mr Z leads her to his office where he sexually assaults her. 

The character is allegedly based off of the real 20th Century Fox film producer and studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck. The story goes that in real life, Marilyn Monroe did a screen test for Ben Lyon, another executive at the production house, which Zanuck did not like but hired her anyway on a standard six-month acting contract to avoid her being signed by a rival studio. 

Also Read | Blonde movie vs Marilyn Monroe’s life: How much is real?

In her autobiography, My Story, Monroe wrote that she trusted Zanuck completely and that he would do everything that would be the best for her in order to help her become a big star in the studio.

Also Read | The controversies surrounding Marilyn Monroe

However, it was well established that Zanuck was a sexual predator who would invite starlets to his office every afternoon. It was a practice he used to trade sexual favours for roles in films. Zanuck did not see the women as people but as “studio hookers.”

Perhaps its not completely out of question that Monroe was sexually assaulted by Zanuck.