In 2016, people rediscovered Jude Law when they became obsessed with the miniseries The Young Pope. Jude Law starred as the erstwhile “young pope” who is basically young (for a pope) and hot (for a pope) and is billed as, like, the James Dean of popes. But in reality, he just had the same kind of old-school conservatism as every other pope. The Young Pope, despite the jokes, ended up being a mediation on power and PR and religion. Anyway, the series ended with (spoiler) the young pope going into a coma. So it’s time for a new miniseries/second season: The New Pope. With John Malkovich taking over the pope-ing and Jude Law’s young pope chilling out in a coma, having vivid dreams about girls in bikinis:
Paolo Sorrentino spoke to Variety ahead of The New Pope’s premiere in Venice, talking about the concept for the second season:
The concept is simple. The basic idea is to latch on to the end of the first season. The pope, played by Jude Law, goes into a coma that, from a scientific standpoint, is considered irreversible and can only end up in death. So the church has to resort to a new pope, who is played by John Malkovich. But since we are in a territory where reason is overtaken by spiritual mysteries and by God, Jude Law’s coma may not be so irreversible. It may have some unexpected novelties, so that two popes can co-exist in the episodes that follow.
If two popes coexist as popes, is there really a Catholic Church? Who knows. It’s like the 25th amendment, but make it pope. Mostly, I can’t believe John Malkovich gave up his role in Billions for this mess! He was SO GOOD in Billions. He did a terrible Russian accent and helped protect Asia Kate Dillion’s character. I miss him. But now he’s a grizzled pope.
And yes, I just wanted to reuse these photos of Jude in his Papal Speedo.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
Aw. Look at those stubby little legs. Lol
Ha!
I’m going to watch the shit out of this!
Looking forward to this very much. The first one was gorgeously shot – every shot like a painting – and the series was surprisingly, profoundly moving.
Th Papal speedo had me LOL
Hahahaha, these are just good old fashioned budgie smugglers! The sad truth is they very rarely flatter any body, and particularly if one is challenged in the leg length department. Jude Law can look divine in some photos, but unfortunately in this one he has the look of a boiled sausage to me. The Young Pope’s first season was very innovative and well done, so I will be watching the second season.
I’m glad Jude Law has come around to playing character roles.
He’s been playing character roles for YEARS. That’s what he prefers. He thinks of himself as a character actor, something he’s mentioned in many interviews.
Um. There have indeed been two popes simultaneously before. It’s always been a mess when it happens!
This looks weird and good, like the first series.
Yup. Plus, if you follow the Church closely, you know there’s some grey right now. Benedict is actually Pope Emeritus. He wears the papal white. That’s the surface of a very deep pool of Vatican conspiracies regarding his resignation. I won’t go into them because it gets so convoluted and loony and archaic that the only thing one can really say is there are no conspiracy theories like those produced by a 2,000 year old institution. Yikes.
Oh, boy, I’m so curious now! Is there some source you can send us to that isn’t totally bonkers so we can skim the surface of the conspiracy theories?
He’s always watchable…in so many ways.
Indeed.
Paolo Sorrentino is the greatest visual director of our time. There I said it.
YUM.
I have always loved him. I think he is talented – I went to a NY Times Q&A with him probably around the time The Pope came out, and he seemed charming and self-effacing. I wish I could hang w him in a dark, swanky bar, drink a few Sidecars, then make out w him until 4am! 👍🏻🥰
Daniel Craig looked better coming out of the sea in James Bond, But I wouldn’t kick Jude out of bed. Imagine how cold it was when they filmed this dream sequence. All the techs are in big jackets.
Oh my God. I am loving every second of it. They are just trolling their critics now, right? The conservative types will have a heart attack when they see Pope portrayed this way
Weirdly, the first season was a huge hit among some of my friends who are more traditional Catholics. I still think its gorgeous to look at, but I was pretty bored while watching it.
Lapsed Catholic here and I loved the first season. Can’t wait for this one!
Watching the first season was a religious experience, just gazing at Jude Laws close ups alone. Angels were singing, I swear.
Jesus Christ have mercy. I would climb him like a tree. I’ve always loved him.