Benedict Cumberbatch Could Climb Everest

Having recently dropped out of one mountain sounding movie in the shape of Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak, it seems Star Trek Into Darkness’ Benedict Cumberbatch is not completely averse to climbing as is now in line to replace Tom Hardy on Doug Liman and Sony’s Everest.  The film is based on Jeffrey Archer’s book Paths Of Glory which chronicles George Mallory’s final attempt to climb the world’s tallest mountain (above sea level) in 1924.  Those who know their history will recall that it did not end well.

Liman has pushed up the schedule to start shooting this March meaning Hardy, who had been attached to the role of Mallory for a while, has had to bail out.  It seems the production are not taking any chances though with news that if Cumberbatch is not available for the role they’ve also got the likes of Joel Kinnaman, Tom Hiddleston, James McAvoy, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Jim Sturgess and Man Of Steel himself Henry Cavill.  That just about covers every leading man within that age range.  Before the possibility of climbing Everest, Cumberbatch has a host of films in the pipeline and will next be seen in 12 Years A Slave before heading to August: Osage County, voicing Smaug in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and then heading to The Lost City Of Z.  Quite the in demand actor of the moment.  Source – Deadline