
It was revealed earlier this year that John Malkovich would be joining Paolo Sorrentino's The New Pope series following the success of The Young Pope with Jude Law in 2016.

And now first look pictures have shown John Malkovich transform into character as the Pope as he filmed scenes on the famous Vatican balcony at St. Peter's Basilica in Italy on Thursday.

The Being John Malkovich actor, 64, looked worlds away from his usual attire as he donned a white choir dress, mozzetta, gold pectoral cross, two gold Fisherman's rings and a white zucchetto skullcap.

Unrecognisable: First look pictures have shown John Malkovich transform into character as the Pope as he filmed scenes on the famous Vatican balcony at St. Peter's Basilica in Italy on Thursday

John looked every inch the supreme pontiff as he stood on the famous Vatican balcony at St. Peter's Basilica with a red papal flag draped over the ledge.

The actor's character appeared to be filming scenes where he was giving an 'Urbi et Orbi' to the crowds below him, as he stood on the balcony with a microphone in front of him and he outstretched his arm.

However, the busy schedule appeared to catch up with John as he could be seen yawning on set and later he lifted up his white choir dress to flash a pair of bottle green trainers.

Leading star: The Being John Malkovich actor, 64, looked every inch the supreme pontiff as he stood on the famous on the famous Vatican balcony at St. Peter's Basilica with a red papal flag draped over the ledge

It is not known what John's official role will be in the upcoming series or whether Jude Law, who played Pope Pius XIII in The Young Pope, will be reprising his role after the character's future was left uncertain in the 2016 season.

According to Variety, The New Pope will not be a 'second series of The Young Pope' but instead a 'second limited series set in the world of the modern papacy'.

Filming for The New Pope has already started in Italy, Paolo Sorrentino has created the series with Umberto Contarello and Stefano Bises.

HBO and Sky announced the follow-up to acclaimed limited series The Young Pope in May 2017, with Sky Italia chief of content Andrea Scrosati saying: 'Just like The Young Pope, Sorrentino is writing the script for the new show, but it will have a different twist than what would be expected.'

Supreme Pontiff: The actor's character appeared to be filming scenes where he was giving an 'Urbi et Orbi' to the crowds below him, as he stood on the balcony with a microphone in front of him and he outstretched his arm

Unknown: It is not known what John's official role will be in the upcoming series or whether Jude Law, who played Pope Pius XIII in The Young Pope, will be reprising his role after the character's future was left uncertain in the 2016 season

In The Young Pope, Jude Law starred as Lenny Belardo, who became the first American pope in history and took the name Pius XIII, his character was hell-bent on turning the world of the Vatican upside down.

The Alfie actor, 45, even received a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Pope Pius XIII, joining the likes of Ewan McGregor and Robert De Niro in the star-studded nominations.

The world premiere of The Young Pope was on 3 September 2016 at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, the first time a television show was part of the program.

The cast of the 10-part series also included Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando and James Cromwell.