Odds & Ends: Mark Rylance to Play the Pope for Spielberg, JHUD Belts at The Daily Show & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.

Mark Rylance to Play the Pope for Steven Spielberg
Three-time Tony winner Mark Rylance is once again teaming up with Steven Spielberg. After winning an Oscar for his work on the legendary filmmaker’s Bridge of Spies, Rylance will star as Pope Pius IX in Spielberg's The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara. Adapted by Tony winner Tony Kushner from David Kertzer’s book, Deadline reports that production will begin in early 2017 for release at the end of next year. Rylance will next be seen on screen in Spielberg’s The BFG, and then, hopefully, on stage in New York with Farinelli and the King.

Alan Cumming Enlisted for Battle of the Sexes
Tony winner Alan Cumming will join his former Broadway Cabaret co-star Emma Stone and Steve Carell in Battle of the Sexes. According to The Wrap, Cumming may play Ted Tinling in the Fox Searchlight film, which follows the legendary 1973 tennis match between Tinling's pal Billie Jean King (Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Carell). Penned by Simon Beaufoy, the movie will be directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

Forest Whitaker Still Loves the Broadway Community
It’s great to see this Oscar winner back in New York! Forest Whitaker, who recently headlined the short-lived Hughie on Broadway, is set to host the Performers4Peace benefit concert on May 9 at 42West. Directed by Stafford Arima, performers will include Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart, Olivier winner Lesli Margherita, Daniel Breaker, Constantine Maroulis, Brandon Uranowitz, Mara Davi, Marcus Paul James, Jill Paice and more. The event will support the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative’s work in peace and community building.

Join Betty Buckley, Lesli Margherita & More for Karaoke
Betty Buckley, Queen Lesli (again!), Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lena Hall, Martha Plimpton, Orfeh, Tituss Burgess, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Cecily Strong will team up for Broadway Acts for Women: A Star-Studded Night of Karaoke and Comedy on May 1. With musical direction by Dan Lipton, the night out at 54 Below aims to aid programs supported by reproductive rights advocacy organization A is For.

JHUD (& Her Rock) Stop by The Daily Show
Jennifer Hudson (clutching, we think, a certain rock) recently stopped by The Daily Show to talk about her Broadway debut in The Color Purple. "I think I found my inner Shug," the Oscar winner said, after admitting that initially she didn't see herself as the character. Check out the fascinating chat belt about powerful female characters below.