Cate Blanchett, the acclaimed actress known for her striking platinum blonde bob, was nearly unrecognizable as she donned a long brunette wig while filming her latest project, “Black Bag,” in London on Friday. The 55-year-old actress transformed her look entirely, stepping into character on the streets of Marylebone.
save me brunette spy cate blanchett pic.twitter.com/qBrXOF3Cjg
— kenza 🍉 (@mstowe_) May 27, 2024
Blanchett looked stunning in a brown leather jacket paired with a black wide-legged jumpsuit, cinched at the waist with a matching belt. She completed the ensemble with a pair of towering boots and eye-catching blue-tinted aviator sunglasses, which added a touch of mystery to her appearance. Carrying a water bottle, the “Blue Jasmine” star appeared to be in good spirits as she prepared for her scenes.
Joining her on set was Pierce Brosnan, who seemed to be channeling his James Bond roots as he took on the role of a spy named Spiegel. The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is an upcoming American spy thriller produced by Focus Features. Soderbergh is known for his work on critically acclaimed films such as “Erin Brockovich,” “Logan Lucky,” “Magic Mike,” and the “Ocean’s” trilogy.
“Black Bag” boasts an impressive cast, with Michael Fassbender leading alongside Blanchett. The film also features Bridgerton favorite Regé-Jean Page and Naomie Harris, known for her role in “Skyfall.” Other notable actors include Marisa Abela, recently praised for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse in the biopic “Back To Black,” and Tom Burke from “The Crown.”
While the plot details of “Black Bag” are being kept tightly under wraps, the filming and production commenced earlier this month in London. The project is backed by producers Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs, with the script penned by David Koepp, one of Hollywood’s most successful screenwriters. Koepp’s notable works include “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Mission: Impossible,” “Spider-Man,” and “The Mummy.”
Blanchett’s transformation for “Black Bag” comes shortly after her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, where she participated in a press panel discussing the importance of providing space for refugee filmmakers to share their stories. During the panel, she acknowledged her privileged position and sparked conversation by describing herself as “middle class.” “I’m white, I’m privileged, I’m middle class and I think one can be accused of having a bit of a white saviour complex,” she said. This remark surprised many, given her estimated net worth of $95 million and her extensive property portfolio.
Cate Blanchett, who was born and raised in Sydney, now resides in the UK. Since 2015, she has lived in East Sussex with her playwright husband Andrew Upton and their four children. The couple, who married in 1997, share three sons—Dashiell, 22; Roman, 19; and Ignatius, 16—and a daughter, Edith, 8.
Blanchett’s ability to completely transform her appearance for her roles continues to impress fans and critics alike. Her upcoming role in “Black Bag” promises to showcase yet another facet of her versatile acting skills, as she immerses herself in the world of espionage and intrigue. As the filming progresses, audiences eagerly anticipate the release of this thrilling new addition to Steven Soderbergh’s filmography.