Five Historical Characters Benedict Cumberbatch Should Play
The man we know best as Sherlock Holmes is even more versatile than we originally thought! Ryan Gajewski of THR notes that actor Benedict Cumberbatch convincingly brings history to life with past biopic roles such as Stephen Hawking in a 2004 BBC film, William Pitt the Younger in 2006 indie film Amazing Grace, William Carey in The Other Boleyn Girl, Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate and now Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
With such an impressive repertoire you might think that there isn’t anyone else Cumberbatch could portray, but here are five other biographical roles that Gajewski thought Cumberbatch would be perfect for. Let us know if you agree on The IF List or, of course, propose your own choices for these biographical roles!
1. J.R.R. Tolkien
English author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
Gajewski says:
“With the exception of the hair, Cumberbatch is a dead ringer for the Lord of the Rings author. Plus, the actor already knows a thing of two about Tolkien, given that he’s Smaug in the Hobbit films.”
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2. Charles Lindbergh
American aviator, author, inventor, explorer and social activist. Flew the Spirit of St. Louis from Roosevelt Field in Garden City on New York’s Long Island to Le Bourget Field in Paris, France, a distance of nearly 3,600 statute miles.
Gajewski says:
“The Sherlock star would nail the pain behind Lindbergh’s time in the limelight, which should be good news for Dustin Lance Black (J. Edgar, Milk) who has been working on a script about the aviator.”
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3. Edgar Allan Poe
American author, poet, editor and literary critic, known for works such as The Tell Tale Heart and The Raven.
Gajewski says:
“The actor clearly seems made for period pieces, and the troubled Poe in particular is a character he could embody well. Sylvester Stallone has been trying for years to get his script about the famed poet made, and so Cumberbatch should step up to the plate.”
Support Cumberbatch for Edgar Allan Poe or propose another actor >>
4. Johnny Carson
American television host, comedian, writer, producer, actor, and musician known for thirty years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Gajewski says:
“Cumberbatch has a mixture of silliness and underlying sadness that would be perfect to play the late talk show host.”
Support Cumberbatch for Johnny Carson or propose a new actor >>
5. Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers)
American educator, Presbyterian minister, songwriter, author, creator and host of the TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Gajewski says:
“The actor would also make a good Jim Henson, too, but Fred Rogers in particular seems like a solid fit, in part because we’re sure Cumberbatch can wear a cardigan like nobody’s business.”
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Who knew Benedict Cumberbatch could look like so many famous men of history?
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