Benedict Cumberbatch exits Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Well this one is going to sting a bit. Back in April we learned that Benedict Cumberbatch had signed on to star in Legendary Pictures and Guillermo del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK, but now it appears that the gothic romance ghost story will be moving on without him. First Emma Stone now Cumberbatch? Damn! Right now no reason for his departure was given although sources say his exit has nothing to do with scheduling issues. This is no doubt some disappointing news as Cumberbatch is one hell of an actor and it would have been damn cool to see him in this one. Right now the question is who will del Toro choose to fill Cumberbatch's role?

Here's what del Toro himself had to say on the upcoming ghost story:

It’s the turn of the century. So it’s at the turn of the century and half of the movie takes place in America, and the other half takes place in a crumbling mansion in Cumbria. And basically it’s a ghost story and gothic romance, trying to subvert the rules of the usual gothic romance. It’s very much… the first half is a love story, then that love story turns darker. And it’s at the same time a ghost story. I’m working at this moment with Lucinda Clarkson who is a really great playwright from the UK. She has the proper degree of perversity and intelligence to turn it into something interesting to watch. It’s sort of a very compelling version of the classic gothic romance, where you have the spookiness and the windswept landscape that dooms the characters, you know?

Charlie Hunnam, Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain (below) are still on board for the project. Right now del Toro is gearing up to shoot the pilot for his upcoming FX series "The Strain" before starting production on CRIMSON PEAK next year.