Benedict Cumberbatch has signed on the dotted line to star in psychological thriller Rio, the latest project by Peaky Blinders and Taboo creator Steven Knight.
Unlike those two shows though, Rio is not a period piece. According to Deadline, it’s set in the eponymous Brazilian city in the modern day, and centers on two old friends: a journalist (Jake Gyllenhaal), and a hugely successful financier (Benedict).
It’s an intriguing pairing of two Oscar-nominated actors we’d love to see work together. Anyone who enjoyed Benedict’s recent turn in Patrick Melrose will be pleased too: the film will be directed by Edward Berger, who did such a brilliant job directing the Emmy-nominated five-part drama.
Other than that, there’s not much we know about the plot, we can also look for a “strong female lead.”
Rio hasn’t started filming yet, meaning we’ll have to sustain ourselves with Benedict’s upcoming projects. The Grinch opens in theaters in November, and Mowgli, Andy Serkis‘s take on The Jungle Book that sees Benedict voice Shere Khan, is expected some time in 2019.
The film will also represent Benedict’s return to thrillers after 2008’s The Last Enemy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and The Fifth Estate (2013), not to mention this amazing, career-defining performance.
As for Jake, he reunites with his Nightcrawler co-star Riz Ahmed for upcoming dark Western comedy The Sisters Brothers, and plays one half of a crumbling marriage alongside Carey Mulligan in 1960s-set drama Wildlife, set for release in November.
A lot to keep us going, then, until Rio hits theaters.
Do you like the sound of Benedict’s new role?