Paul Bettany in talks for huge role in The Crown s3?

From Digital Spy

Paul Bettany is the latest major star apparently being lined up to join the royal family in The Crown.

The Avengers: Infinity War actor is currently in talks to sign up for the upcoming season of Netflix's period drama but a deal isn't quite done yet, according to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye.

If the two sides reach an agreement, Bettany would be replacing Matt Smith as the older version of Prince Philip, opposite Olivia Colman's Queen Elizabeth II.

Digital Spy has reached out to Bettany's reps for confirmation.

Bettany has previous royal experience, having played regal types in the TV series Sharpe and the film The Young Victoria. He is perhaps most famous these days as JARVIS and The Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Earlier in January, it was announced that Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter was also eying a supporting role in The Crown as Princess Margaret, taking over for Vanessa Kirby.

Bonham Carter, Bettany and Colman would be starring in the third and fourth seasons of The Crown, before the roles are once again recast so the series can move even further forward in time.

Despite previously playing Her Royal Highness in The Crown writer Peter Morgan's Oscar-winning film The Queen, Dame Helen Mirren this week ruled out reprising her role in the lavish Netflix series.

The Crown recently earned two Golden Globe nominations, and has also just received even more nods in the upcoming Empire Awards. Netflix hasn't yet announced a premiere date for the third season of The Crown.

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