The first full trailer for Shazam! Fury of the Gods has just landed online, giving us a glimpse of Dame Helen Mirren in action as one of the film’s central villains. In the new DC Extended Universe film, coming to cinemas this December, Mirren plays Hespera, one of the daughters of Atlas along with Kalypso, played by Lucy Liu, who make up the film’s central villains. They’ll take on Zachary Levi’s returning hero Billy Batson/Shazam, who is seen in the trailer struggling to bring his ‘Shazamily’ of super-powered foster siblings together, while still indulging in the fun of being a boy in a superhero’s body. The trailer was released during Warner Bros Theatrical’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, which also saw an appearance from Johnson dressed as Black Adam to hype up the crowd. In a message recorded with Zegler for the panel, Mirren said she “absolutely loved playing Hespera” and that she’s “such a delightful baddie and a bad ass”. Shazam! Fury of the Gods will be released in cinemas on 21st December 2022.

Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford have spent their busy weekend in Puglia, Italy, where they received the Attestato di Benemerenza “for having restored an ancient farmhouse and having contributed to the enhancement of the period and historical architectural and real estate heritage of Puglia”. The award was given during the event organized in Santa Maria di Leuca by the Italian Legend Club , the club promoted by Assocastelli to combine historic motoring with the historic and historical architectural and real estate heritage, chaired by Flavio Greco. Later in the evening, Helen was a guest at the opening of Santa Maria’s monumental waterfall. Pictures and screencaptures from the media coverage of both events have been added to the photo gallery.

Accompanying her appearance on The South Bank Show next Wednesday (27th July), Helen Mirren sat down with the series’ host Melvyn Bragg for an interview in this week’s Radio Times magazine as the latest issue’s cover star. In the interview, the pair talk about insecurities, Mirren’s Russian aristocratic heritage and what she really thinks of the Queen having played her in 2006. As part of the conversation, Mirren reveals that she wrote to the monarch before taking part in The Queen. She says: “I realised we were investigating a profoundly painful part of her life, so I wrote to her. How do you write to your queen? Was it Madam, or Your Highness, or Your Majesty? I said, ‘We are doing this film. We are investigating a very difficult time in your life. I hope it’s not too awful for you.’ “I can’t remember how I put it. I just said that in my research I found myself with a growing respect for her, and I just wanted to say that. She didn’t write back, of course, but her secretary did. You know, ‘Yours sincerely, da di da di da,’ on behalf of the Queen. I was very relieved subsequently that I had written that letter.”

It seems Helen Mirren receives an honor for her contribution to her designated second home region in Italy every time she sets foot in Puglia for the Summer Holidays. On July 13, Helen received the Inaugural Hypogeum Prize by the association of the same name for her cultural contribution to the region of Presicce and Puglia. Pictures from the event have been added, alongside a news report from RAI and accompanying screencaptures. Enjoy.

This weekend, Dolce & Gabbana took over Siracusa’s main Piazza Duomo for the 10th anniversary of their fashion extravaganza. The label’s version of haute couture – called Alta Moda for women’s wear and Alta Sartoria for men’s – is being held in Sicily this season, where Domenico Dolce grew up. Known for their grand and lavish scale that slowly unfurl over the course of three days, Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda events showcase remarkable, one-of-a-kind high jewellery creations, as well as men’s and women’s unique couture. Helen Mirren has been a guest to all four of their functions. Pictures from the festivities have been added to the photo gallery.