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

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.”

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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.