The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Valkyrie, Tessa Thompson, wants to play the 1966 Batman star Eartha Kitt.
Thompson discussed her upcoming projects as both an actor and a producer in an interview with The Wrap. When asked about whethere there were any projects she’d like to work on in particular, she answered, “I have a couple of dream projects. Eventually I’d like to direct something that I adapt. But I’d really like to play Eartha Kitt. That’s been a dream for a really long time.” Although best known by comics fans for being the third actor to play Catwoman in the 1966 Batman series, Kitt had a storied career as a Broadway performer and singer, with hits like “Santa Baby,” “I Want to Be Evil” and a cover of “C’est si bon” topping charts in the 1950s.
Kitt was also noted for her activism, including an incident in which she condemned the Vietnam War in front of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson at a White House event. Thompson played Kitt in reenactment of the incident for the Comedy Central show Drunk History.
Thompson launched her own production company, Viva Maude, in 2021 with a two-year deal with HBO Max. Among her projects are adaptations of Nnedi Okorafor’s science-fantasy novel Who Fears Death, Deesha Philyaw’s short story collection The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and Revan Leilani’s relationship drama Luster. “Part of the reason why I feel at home on some of these smaller productions is it feels more producorial,” Thompson said. “…It’s taking a page from what I thankfully have been able to do in my own career, which is buck expectations in terms of what I might do next and say that we should be allowed to play in any and all of the spaces that are of interest to us.”
As an actor, Thompson is currently set to reprise her Valkyrie role in Thor: Love and Thunder, which will confirm the character as one of the few openly queer heroes in the MCU. “It’s hard because [director Taika Waititi] and I would’ve even liked to go further, but in the context of the movies, there’s only so much we can do,” she explained. “…And getting to play a character that historically is not written for somebody that looks like me, all of that felt exciting.”
Thompson will also reprise her role as Bianca Taylor in Creed III, the directorial debut of star Michael B. Jordan. Other upcoming projects for her include The Listener — a Steve Buscemi-directed drama in which Thompson will be the only actor onscreen — and a secret project with her fellow MCU actor Brie Larson.
Source: The Wrap
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