Benedict Cumberbatch to Stop Time in new role

14 March 2017

Benedict Cumberbatch is to star in upcoming film 'How to Stop Time'.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Following his cosmic role in Marvel Cinematic Universe movie 'Doctor Strange', the 40-year-old actor is to stay in another sci-fi film.

The movie is an adaptation of Matt Haig's forthcoming novel and even before the book hits the shelves its film rights have been snapped up by Cumberbatch's production company SunnyMarch and Studiocanal.

Haig shared the news on his official Twitter account on Tuesday (14.03..17), posting: "Look! Exciting news alert! Benedict Cumberbatch is going to star in the adaptation of my new novel. Am so happy."

In a separate tweet, he wrote: "Benedict is the only person I could think of to play the part of Tom Hazard. No-one quite like him. So amazing when a wish actually HAPPENS. (sic)"

Cumberbatch is expected to play the role of Tom Hazard - a man in his early 40s - whom thanks to an extremely rare condition, has been alive for centuries.

Haig added: "I only finished writing this book about two weeks ago. And now this is happening. It feels fast and surreal. Beautiful, but surreal."

Speaking about the project, Studiocanal UK CEO Danny Perkins said in a statement: "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."

Haig, a best-selling author whose books have been translated into 30 different languages, has penned his first adult novel in four years.

His most recent children's book 'The Girl Who Saved Christmas' - the sequel to 'A Boy Called Christmas' - was published in late 2016 in more than 20 countries. Studiocanal and Blueprint Pictures own the screen rights to the series.

As well as starring in the film, Cumberbatch is also attached to executive produce alongside Jamie Byng, CEO of Canongate Books, which is publishing the book in July.

Haig's other novel works include his memoir 'Reasons to Stay Alive', which stayed in the Sunday Times' top-10 bestseller list for 46 weeks, and 'The Humans'.

He was also screenwriter on Heyday Films and Studiocanal's 2014 children's hit 'Paddington'.

Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Dr. Stephen Strange for 'Thor: Ragnarok' and will follow that up with a spot in 'Avengers: Infinity War' which is currently in production.