Salma Hayek was back on set to film scenes for Magic Mike 3 on Sunday, joining Channing Tatum at Piccadilly in London for the big-budget sequel.
The actress, 55, replaced Thandiwe Newton as the film’s female lead after she was forced out of the film after 11 days of filming amid a series of personal misfortunes.
Enjoying the capital’s unexpected sunshine, Salma was in high spirits as she shared a laugh with co-star Channing as they prepared to film scenes outside the historic Criterion Theatre.
Joyful! Salma Hayek was back on set to film scenes for Magic Mike 3 on Sunday, joining Channing Tatum at Piccadilly in London for the big-budget sequel
Salma was dressed in a cropped PVC leather jacket and matching black harem pants as she laughed with Channing, who wore a casual navy overcoat during filming.
The pair were seen laughing together as they prepared for the cameras to start rolling, with the film crew taking over London Square to film the scenes.
Filming on Magic Mike 3 resumed after Thandiwe quit the film last month, following an alleged row with producer and film star Channing over Will Smith’s Oscar slap – she denied the ‘incident.
Transition: The actress replaced Thandiwe Newton as the film’s female lead after being forced out of the film after 11 days of filming amid a series of personal misfortunes
Old star: Thandiwe (pictured filming Magic Mike 3 with Channing last month) quit the film last month, following an alleged split with Channing, which she has since denied
Radiant: Taking advantage of the unexpected sunshine in the capital, Salma was in good spirits when she arrived on set to record the film
Daring: Salma was dressed in a cropped PVC leather jacket and oversized taupe sunglasses as she arrived to film more scenes for the upcoming sequel
Casual: Meanwhile, Channing wore a casual navy overcoat while filming
While Salma was filming her scenes in London, Thandiwe, 49, was pictured 5,000 miles away in Malibu over the weekend, seemingly confirming the end of their 23-year marriage to Ol Parker with a very public display of affection with musician Lonr, 25.
The award-winning actress has joined her ex-husband in removing his wedding ring, as the director was spotted without his earlier this week as he left his London home.
Lonr told the Post that all parties involved were focused on the welfare of Thandiwe’s children when approached to comment on the new relationship, explaining:
Takeover: The film crew took over London Square outside the historic Criterion Theater
Simple: Salma’s character look also included matching black harem pants and a thin gold chain belt with a snake finish.
Jovial: She and Channing chatted enthusiastically between scenes
“From the relatively short time I had the chance to spend with her, I know that Thandiwe and Oliver care deeply about the well-being of their children. That’s all that matters to me right now.
Thandiwe has reportedly been asked to seek mental health support following the breakdown of her marriage – and an alleged split with Channing.
The star has previously shared how she suffered “a number of depressions” in her troubled past, as well as her heartbreaking experiences of sexual abuse, racism and bulimia during her time in the industry.
Drama: Thandiwe was reportedly asked to seek mental health support after her marriage broke up – and an alleged breakup with Channing (pictured with Salma on set)
Fight back: The star also denied claims she was sacked from her lead role in Magic Mike following a heated argument with Channing (pictured)
Anticipated: The original Magic Mike movie premiered in 2012 and was loosely based on Channing’s experience as a stripper in Tampa, Florida
Next: The film’s first sequel, titled Magic Mike XXL, was released in 2015
She, however, denied claims that she was fired from her lead role in Magic Mike following a heated argument with Channing.
The original Magic Mike movie premiered in 2012 and was loosely based on Channing’s experience as a stripper in Tampa, Florida. A sequel followed in 2015.
Channing has confirmed he will be reprising his role for Magic Mike’s Last Dance in November 2021.
He is back! Channing has confirmed he will be reprising his role for Magic Mike’s Last Dance in November 2021
Development: In a recent interview with PEOPLE, he spoke about the importance for the film to have a main female character
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, he talked about how important it was for the film to have a female lead character.
“I want to have an equal, if not more centralized female character, so that Mike can really play and almost…I don’t mean, [to have her] take over but really let the movie be about one woman’s experience and not mike’s experience because so much has been said about mike’s and guys’ experiences.
“These films are very, very feminine. At least that’s our intention.
Female star: He said, “I want to have an equal, if not even more centralized, female character for Mike to really and almost play”
Warner Bros. has yet to release official plot details, but Channing and his producing partner Reid Carolin revealed in an interview with Variety in February that the film will center on the female lead and is partly inspired by Magic Mike Live – the massive popular live strip show based on the movies.
“It’s really about a woman stuck in an awful strip show like a Chippendales and then realizing, ‘What the hell am I doing here? “, Carolin told Variety. “And then Magic Mike comes down from the ceiling. She comes down the rabbit hole and asks, ‘What do I really want?’
“There’s going to be a very strong female character, almost stronger than Mike.” We’ve never done a traditional love story, and this isn’t a traditional love story,” Channing added, calling the film “the Super Bowl of stripper movies.”
The actor also previously told The New York Times that the plot was a role-reversed “Pretty Woman” story, suggesting that Salma could play a version of Richard Gere’s wealthy and powerful character.
Driven: He added, “These films are very, very feminine.” At least that’s our intention.