Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Olivia Colman said she was too ‘middle-aged’ for Marvel five years before MCU casting

Despite doubts she’d ever achieve her career ‘dream’, Oscar winner will reportedly star in new Marvel series

Adam White
Tuesday 20 April 2021 06:23 EDT
Comments
Captain Marvel international trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Olivia Colman assumed she was too “middle-aged” to join the Marvel Universe, five years before she was cast in a new Marvel TV series.

It was reported yesterday (19 April) that the Oscar-winning British actor will star in the forthcoming Disney Plus series Secret Invasion, which will also be led by Samuel L Jackson (who plays Nick Fury.

The series, which will take place after the events of 2019 film Captain Marvel, revolves around Fury’s battle against the alien race known as the Skrulls. Ben Mendelsohn, who played Skrull leader Talos in both Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far from Home, will also appear.

While Colman’s role is currently being kept under wraps, she said in 2016 that playing a “baddie” in the Marvel Universe was her “dream”, but that she believed it was unlikely to ever happen.

“I’ve always wanted to play a Marvel baddie,” Colman told Vulture. “I’m not sure I fit the mould, though. Like a powerful, extraordinary woman. Somebody with superpowers would be really fun, but I’m not sure how many middle-aged women they have in Marvel.”

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content.

After Colman’s interviewer said that seeing her in such a role would be “fabulous”, the actor replied: “Fingers crossed, both of us. I imagine that dream is gone, but that would be amazing.”

Secret Invasion, which will likely arrive on Disney Plus in 2022, is due to begin filming later this year.

One Night in Miami actor Kingsley Ben-Adir is also rumoured to be involved with the series, but his casting has yet to be officially announced.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in