‘The Handmaid’s Tale’s O-T Fagbenle has been caught in the web of the ‘Black Widow’. Though his role wasn’t disclosed, it is known that the film has been seeking “either a Black British or African actor, 30-45, to portray a ‘tough, dangerous and mysterious’ villain.” It was rumored that André Holland was up for a role (once again, not specified), but it looks as though Fagbenle nabbed this one. Fagbenle is indeed black and British, so check and check. He’s also 38 or 39, so he fits the age bracket.
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The film is expected to at least partially be an origin story for Scarlett Johansson’s super spy, exploring her upbringing in the Soviet Red Room to become a lethal assassin. But after the fall of the Soviet Union, she becomes an enemy of the state and targeted for elimination. In addition to Johansson, Fagbenle joins previously announced cast members David Harbour, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz. None of their roles are known at this time, but there has been talk that the film could introduce cinematic versions of Red Guardian or The Taskmaster. The size of these actors roles has also not been disclosed, but the villain role described is pretty hefty and should get lots of screen time.
Cate Shortland is directing ‘Black Widow’, with a script by Jac Schaeffer and revisions by Ned Benson.
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Fagbenle is a series regular on Hulu’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, on which he stars as Luke Bankole, the husband of Elisabeth Moss’ Ofred/June, and the father of her daughter, Hannah. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ returns for its third season on June 5. Prior to that, Fagbanle appeared on the British TV series ‘Maxxx’, and headlined ‘The Five’, and ‘The Interceptor’. American viewers may recognize him as Frank on HBO’s ‘Looking’.
‘Black Widow’ is expected to begin production in June. Marvel has the date May 1, 2020, locked for an undisclosed movie, but should ‘Black Widow’ start on time, it’s likely that this will be that picture.
Check back for updates, but in the meantime, any guesses who Fagbanle may be playing?
Source: Deadline
