Benedict Cumberbatch has signed up for his latest project – he is set to star in HOW TO STOP TIME. It has been confirmed by StudioCanal that they have preempted the film rights to Matt Haig’s forthcoming novel.
Cumberbatch is attached to play the lead role and will Executive Produce through his SunnyMarch production company alongside Jamie Byng, CEO of Canongate Books.
HOW TO STOP TIME is the first adult novel in four years by Matt Haig, the number one bestselling author whose books have been translated into over thirty languages. It tells the story of Tom Hazard (Cumberbatch), a man who may look like an ordinary 41-year-old but, owing to an extremely rare condition, he’s been alive for centuries. HOW TO STOP TIME is a wildly imagined love story that spans centuries and continents and cements Haig’s reputation as one of the most original and exciting novelists of his generation.
Matt Haig comments “The prospect of Benedict Cumberbatch playing Tom Hazard is a hugely exciting one and I could not be happier about working with Adam and Jamie, and to be reunited with STUDIOCANAL.”
STUDIOCANAL UK CEO Danny Perkins adds, “We are delighted to be continuing our successful relationship with Matt Haig as well as build upon our long-running and dynamic partnership with SunnyMarch, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland. This compelling novel will make for a powerful film that falls in line with STUDIOCANAL’s ongoing commitment to British talent, storytelling and production. We look forward to bringing it to audiences around the world.”
STUDIOCANAL is fully financing and will distribute in their territories, UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and will be handling international sales.
Benedict Cumberbatch was most recently seen by audiences in Marvel/Disney’s worldwide box office hit DOCTOR STRANGE with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton and Rachel McAdams and will reprise his role in THOR: RAGNAROK opposite Chris Hemworth, out in cinemas later this year and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, currently in production.
Cumberbatch was Oscar and BAFTA nominated for his performance as Alan Turing in THE IMITATION GAME. His other upcoming projects include THE CURRENT WAR and Andy Serkis’ THE JUNGLE BOOK.
What do you think of Benedict Cumberbatch’s latest film choice? Are you liking the sound of his new project? Have your say in the comment box below!
