Benedict Cumberbatch Knows HOW TO STOP TIME
Benedict Cumberbatch doesn’t slow down. He keeps adding projects to his already demanding schedule that includes movies and television. So what does he do next? Add another one which includes both acting and executive producing, of course. He will star in the film adaptation of Matt Haig’s How To Stop Time.
Described as “a wildly imagined love story that spans centuries and continents,” the story is about Tom Hazard (Cumberbatch) who appears to be a 41-year-old man, however due to a rare condition, is really over 400-years-old. To avoid detection, he constantly has to change identities and settles as a history teacher in London.
StudioCanal will be fully financing the film and distribute in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Adam Ackland produce with Jamie Byng, CEO of Canongate Books, joining Cumberbatch executive producing under his production company, SunnyMarch. No word yet on who will pen the script; however, Haig does have screenwriting experience from StudioCanal’s 2014 hit, Paddington.
Canongate Books will publish Haig’s book in July. The best-selling author is known for his children’s’ books Shadow Forest and The Girl Who Saved Christmas, which was published in late 2016 and was the sequel to his hit A Boy Called Christmas. StudioCanal and Blueprint Pictures has already acquired the screen rights to that series and a feature adaptation is in development. How To Stop Time is his first adult book in a while.
In a statement, Haig stated, “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’s UK CEO Danny Perkins added, “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 SudioCanal’s ongoing commitment to British talent, storytelling, and production. We look forward to bringing it to audiences around the world.
Cumberbatch next play Dr. Stephen Strange in the upcoming Marvel films Thor: Ragnarok and is currently filming both Avengers: Infinity War and The Current War where he is portraying Thomas Edison. Past projects include Sherlock and Star Trek Into Darkness.
