Whoopi Goldberg has shared an update on Sister Act 3 following the death of Dame Maggie Smith – see what she had to say below.
The legendary Smith died in late September at the age of 89. The news was confirmed by her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. In a statement they said that Smith “passed away peacefully” in the early hours of September 27.
Dame Maggie Smith attends The Royal Film Performance and World Premiere of “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” at Odeon Leicester Square on February 17, 2015 in London, England. CREDIT: Dave M. Benett/WireImage
In the lead up to Smith’s death, Goldberg had been working on the script for Sister Act 3. However, she has now revealed in a chat with Jimmy Fallon that the script is now being reworked following co-star Smith’s death.
“We’re having to make some readjustments because we just lost Maggie Smith, as you know,” Goldberg said. “And so, we will get it done. We will get it done. It’s a shift.”
Goldberg starred with Smith in Sister Act in 1992. Smith played the Reverend Mother Superior in the comedy while Goldberg appeared as a singer who goes into witness protection in a convent. The following year, they reunited for Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit.
It is currently unclear how the absence of Reverend Mother Superior will be dealt with in Sister Act 3.
Shortly after Smith’s death, Whoopi Goldberg shared a tribute on Instagram, writing in honour of her late co-star: “Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with the ‘one-of-a-kind’. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family… RIP.”
Dame Maggie Smith made her stage debut in 1956 and went on to win Oscars for her roles in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and California Suite (1978). She also starred in the likes of Hook, Death On The Nile and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Maggie Smith attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. CREDIT: Mike Marsland/WireImage
Smith won three Emmys for her portrayal of Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. She was made a Dame in 1990 for her services to the performing arts and is one of only a handful of people to have won a Triple Crown Of Acting – An Emmy, Tony and Oscar.
Following news of her passing, friends and fans took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary actor.
Presenter Gyles Brandreth said Smith’s death “marks the end of a golden era”. “She was a truly great actress, one of the greats’ & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable,” he added.
Elsewhere, comedian Omid Djalili said “We’ve lost one the best today” while George Takei wrote: “A grand star of screen and stage has departed. Maggie Smith, known most recently for her unforgettable roles as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, passed away at age 89. Fans both old and young shall miss her dearly.”
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