UPDATE: Bad news if word of Bettany's involvement got you all excited. The Hollywood Reporter has now ferreted out that pesky scheduling conflicts mean he won't be taking the role after all, which means the next two seasons will require a different replacement Philip. Off with the schedule's head!
Like the changing of the guard, the switch-out of cast continues for The Crown as the series prepares to kick off work on Season 3. And the team has a new Prince Philip in its sights, with Paul Bettany in talks to take the role.
The series, which charts the fortunes of the royal family through the years of Queen Elizabeth II's long reign, is jumping ahead in time and with the aging characters comes a new cast. Olivia Colman is officially aboard as Her Maj, while Helena Bonham Carter is playing her more wayward sister, Princess Margaret.
Producers for the show are looking to fill the slot previously occupied by Matt Smith, taking over as the Duke of Edinburgh and according to reports that originated with The Daily Mail and have been confirmed by Variety, they've met with Bettany and his team about the job, which would require around six months to shoot the next 10 episodes (and a commitment to at least one further season).
Bettany will be seen this year in Avengers: Infinity War (out 26 April in the UK) and Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is still aiming to land on 25 May.
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