Here are some photos of Benedict Cumberbatch in London back in April. As it turns out, he was quietly filming a TV movie for the BBC at the time. The TV movie is called The Child In Time, and it’s based on Ian McEwan’s novel about fictional kids’ author, Stephen Lewis (played by The Batch), who goes through the trauma of losing a child. Benedict actually attended the London Film and Comic-Con over the weekend specifically to do some advanced promotion for this film. And of course, he chatted a little bit about Doctor Strange and Sherlock. Some highlights:
Whether emotional roles are more difficult for him: “No, I think definitely not. That’s always the same challenge no matter what other elements in there. It’s interesting, like The Child In Time is a programme which I’m very, very proud of which is coming out some time soon. It’s the first one we’ve ever done as a production company and that was very much me. I’m not Sherlock, I’m not Doctor Strange, it’s something much nearer me. That was it’s own challenge because it’s very exposing in a way but also far more accessible, I guess. That character’s going through a trauma unlike any of these two. I think it’s much more about the intensity or the cause for intensity and emotion than it is the other accoutrement of the character accent or superhero get ups. Whatever it may be.”
Whether he has any interest in the James Bond conversation: “No comment.”
There’s only one potential love interest for Sherlock: “Now, there’s only one choice, isn’t there? Come on,. Doctor Watson.” He continued on a more serious note, explaining: “I think it would have to be Molly, wouldn’t it? Love for him, after all, would be thinking more – maybe that’s asking too much – maybe thinking as much of someone else as he thinks of himself.”
As I said months ago, after the fourth season of Sherlock aired, I’m totally fine if they want to retire the series now, or retire it indefinitely for like five years or something. I don’t need to see Sherlock and Molly try to make a go of it. I don’t need to see Watson and Sherlock sniping at each other and raising the baby together. I don’t need any of it after that abortion of a fourth season. I’m good.
As for The Child In Time… I’m an Ian McEwan hater, so I have zero expectations for this one. I went through a phase where I read several McEwan books all in a row and I hated all of them. He’s a powerful and evocative writer, for sure, but he has no idea how to actually work through a reasonable plot.
Also: Bendy will probably be at TIFF this year to promote The Current War. Bendy plays Thomas Edison and who knows? The movie looks pretty Oscar-baity, so we might get another Cumberbatch Oscar Campaign. I hope so, because the last time was SO MUCH FUN. Comet Sophies for everyone!
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
Has he played an emotional role yet? He seems to specialize in the emotionally repressed.
ETA I agree, we could use another Bendy Oscar campaign. The look on his face when Redmayne got the Golden Globe was priceless
Sure has, before Sherlock. Doubt he’s campaigning. They usually start in June. Seems like a once was enough type.
The loser faces used to be more entertaining before they started splicing in shots from earlier in the evening. You only see real faces sometimes now. Sally Kirkland caught eyerollng Cher always comes to mind.
They made us study the child in time for our Alevels nearly 20 years ago. It’s heavy. All his books are heavy. Remembering us Dissecting that book for a year actually makes me feel Ill. I like bendy, but not sure I can face this haha.
Hm, I think I prefer to watch The Current War over this. It’s been a heavy year. I don’t feel like feeling heavier. In fact, all my faves need to do a comedy together so we can laugh and forget for two hours this sinkhole we’re stuck in.
I’m with you. I need lighthearted or fantastical stuff – nothing too heavy for me. Real life is heavy enough
This year alone gave us enough material for comedy. I’d find it all funny if I wasn’t so miserable at the state of affairs.
I wish Benedict would do comedy again. All of these award-bait roles are exhausting, and he’s a funny guy.