Paul Bettany In Talks To Play Prince Philip On The Crown Season 3

Paul Bettany could step into royal shoes for his next role. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor is nearing a deal to portray Prince Philip on the third season of Netflix's historical drama series The Crown. 

Bettany, who currently rocks the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Vision/Victor Shade, would succeed Doctor Who star Matt Smith in the part if the deal goes through. Smith portrayed the English royal in the first two seasons of The Crown opposite Emmy-nominated actress Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II. Past reports have confirmed that The Night Manager standout Olivia Colman is set up to replace Foy's Her Royal Majesty for season three, so it's only right that chatter about who will take over as Prince Philip has started to surface.

However, Netflix, producers Sony Pictures Television Studios, and Bettany's representatives have all stayed quiet on the casting news, avoiding officially confirming Bettany's involvement with The Crown. 

If the negotiations go swimmingly, Bettany will also join Helena Bonham Carter as the laissez-faire party girl Princess Margaret (the role she inherits from original actress Vanessa Kirby), Victoria Hamilton as the Queen Mother, Jeremy Northam as Antony Eden, Matthew Goode as Lord Snowdon, and Michael C. Hall as John F. Kennedy. 

Before Bettany potentially jumps aboard The Crown, he'll reprise his Vision role in Avengers: Infinity War, the star-studded Marvel team-up movie slated for release on May 4.

Season two of The Crown, which centers around 1960s society and the monarchy's struggles to modernize, is available to stream on Netflix now.