Ewan McGregor not in new Madonna movie; may have small part in 'Nanny McPhee'

Ewan McGregor had reportedly signed up for Madonna's new film W.E., but a representative for Ewan says that he is not doing the film. Thanks to Mandy for the information.

Ewan McGregor’s involvement in Madonna’s “W.E.” first swirled after Perez Hilton reported the story. The blogger wrote, “McGregor will play Edward VIII who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. We absolutely adore her as a musical artist, but we’re not holding our breath for a hit film. But maybe she’ll prove us wrong with these casting choices?” [AcesShowbiz]

It appears that Ewan has a small part in Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang, the sequel to the 2005 film. The film opens on Friday, March 26 in the UK. A film synopsis is below.

This time Maggie Gyllenhaal is single mum Isabel Green (hubbie Ewan McGregor is off to fight the Hun in WW2) with three out of control nippers to contend with and two insufferably posh evacuee cousins about to arrive on their farm. Also in the cast are Rhys Ifans as Isabel’s spivvish brother-in-law, Maggie Smith plays a docile shop owner and Ralph Fiennes is a stiff-upper lipped War Office commander. [The List]

Ewan McGregor cast in Madonna's 'W.E.' + appearance at CalArts

Ewan McGregor has been cast in W.E. alongside Vera Farmiga and Abbie Cornish. Shooting starts this summer in London, France, and New York. Thanks so much to Mandy for sharing this with us.

McGregor will portray King Edward VIII in the film's period narrative which will follow his character's famous abdication of the throne in 1936 to marry American socialite and divorcee, Wallis Simpson, who will be played by Vera Farmiga.

Abbie Cornish will lead the contemporary parallel narrative, such as that in "Julie & Julia," and will play Wally Winthrop, a character who has romantic problems of her own as well as an obsession with the life of the aforementioned Duchess of Windsor, Simpson. [The Playlist]

On Friday Ewan gave a lecture at the California Institute of the Arts at the Bijou Theater in front of a crowd of acting, directing, and animation students. You can go to the Institute's blog for more on Ewan's lecture. Thanks again to Mandy for the link.