Hayley Atwell (who will reprise the role of Peggy Carter as she becomes Captain Britain) has shared the previously released trailer to her Instagram account along with the following: “Coming summer 2021 #disneyplus an alternative narrative in a parallel universe… a position of power that Peggy Carter is fully equipped for #iknowmyvalue 🇬🇧👊🏼”

That’s an interesting description, and indicates that all these character inhabit the same Earth rather than different ones. This leaves us to wonder what singular incident led to this unrecognisable world being created where T’Challa became Star-Lord and The Winter Soldier battles a zombie Captain America.

A synopsis for the series was shared during last year’s Disney Investor Day, revealing: “‘What If…?’ flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways.”

“Coming to Disney+ in summer 2021, Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU,” it continues, “featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles. The series is directed by Bryan Andrews; Ashley Bradley is head writer.” [Source]

This year’s edition of the UK theater world’s Olivier Awards, which had been set for April 5 at Royal Albert Hall in London, has been canceled. Organizer the Society of London Theatre made the call Tuesday as the UK government ramped up its restrictions in the fight against coronavirus.

“Following the government’s new advice on social distancing yesterday, and the subsequent closing of many theatres and public venues, we no longer feel that it is feasible to host the ceremony that we had planned to deliver,” SOLT said in a statement today. It said all tickets would be refunded.

Organizers said they are working through plans “on how to properly honour and announce this year’s winners, and will release further information soon.”

This year’s nominees for the best of West End theater were announced March 3. James McAvoy, Andrew Scott, Wendell Pierce and Toby Jones were nominated for best actor, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Hayley Atwell, Juliet Stevenson and Sharon D Clarke were nominated for best actress.

The new musical & Juliet nabbed nine nominations, with Trevor Nunn’s Fiddler on the Roof securing eight and Dear Evan Hansen seven.

On Monday, the Society of London Theatre and U.K. Theatre said their member venues will close until further notice, including the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, the London Palladium, the Old Vic and the Royal Opera House. The Olivier’s home Royal Albert Hall previously announced it was closing until further notice.

In a press conference, British Prime Minister Johnson said people in the UK should start working from home, avoid non-essential travel and not visit public venues including theaters and pubs. Continue reading  »

New character details have surfaced for Mission: Impossible 7, providing a little more insight into the roles that actors Hayley Atwell and Nicholas Hoult will play in the upcoming film.

The information comes from The Illuminerdi, who reports that Atwell and Hoult’s characters will play important roles in Mission: Impossible 7 and 8. Atwell’s character goes by the name of Lambert and is reported to be the aid to the big bad, Rollin Hand. She is described as being “tenacious and a bit of a bruiser.”

Hoult was originally thought to be Rollin Hand, however, the report suggests that this is not the case. According to casting for Rollin Hand, the film was looking for a male actor in his 50’s to late 70’s. Shea Whigham, who appears closer in appearance to the description than Hoult, is rumored to fill this role. Based on casting information The Illuminerdi obtained, Hoult will still portray an antagonist in the upcoming film. His character will appear in both 7 and 8, but his villainous role is not yet fully disclosed.

Currently, the production of Mission: Impossible 7 has been halted due to the spread of the coronavirus in Venice, Italy, where the film was originally supposed to shoot for three weeks. It is currently uncertain how this delay will change production plans.

Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible 7 stars Tom Cruise, Henry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham and Nicholas Hoult. The film arrives in theaters July 23, 2021. [Source]

Avengers star Tom Hiddleston is in the running to be named best actor at this year’s Evening Standard Theatre Awards, five years after first winning the prize.

The actor, who triumphed in 2014 for Coriolanus, is shortlisted for his performance in the revival of Pinter’s love triangle drama Betrayal at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Other big names whose talents could be rewarded at the event, held in association with Michael Kors, include Hiddleston’s fellow Marvel star Hayley Atwell, Sheridan Smith, Andrew Scott and Dame Maggie Smith.

Suits star Wendell Pierce is on the shortlist for best actor, given in partnership with the Ambassador Theatre Group, for his performance as Willy Loman in Death Of A Salesman. It opened in the West End last week after a run at the Young Vic. Completing the line-up for best actor are K. Todd Freeman and Francis Guinan, who both appeared in Downstate at the National Theatre, and Scott, who impressed the critics in a gender-switched version of Noel Coward’s autobiographical comedy Present Laughter at the Old Vic. Atwell and Dame Maggie are among those on the best actress shortlist, for their performances in Ibsen’s political drama Rosmersholm at the Duke Of York’s Theatre and one-woman show A German Life at the Bridge Theatre respectively.

The other contenders for the Natasha Richardson award for best actress, given in partnership with Christian Louboutin, are Cecilia Noble, who is shortlisted for performances at the National in Downstate and Faith, Hope And Charity, Juliet Stevenson for The Doctor at the Almeida and Anjana Vasan for A Doll’s House at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Smith’s role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat sees her shortlisted for best musical performance with Anne-Marie Duff in Sweet Charity and Andy Nyman in Trevor Nunn’s revival of Fiddler On The Roof.

Evening Standard Editor George Osborne said: “The London theatre scene continues to thrive and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards recognises and celebrates the talent from the rising stars of tomorrow to best directors and actresses.

“There have been so many incredible theatre performances this year and we look forward to the awards ceremony to unveil the outstanding achievements.”

This year also sees a celebration of female writers, with work by Caryl Churchill, debbie tucker green and Lynn Nottage among the contenders for best play, given in partnership with Chanel, along with Downstate by Bruce Norris. Continue reading  »