Benedict Cumberbatch Replaces Leonardo DiCaprio as Alan Turing in 'Imitation Game'
Movie

The 'Star Trek Into Darkness' star has just bagged his latest high-end role in the film about the tormented English genius who's famed for committing suicide by eating a cyanide-laced apple.

AceShowbiz - Becoming one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood recently, Benedict Cumberbatch has just snatched another high-profile role for his new project. The "Sherlock" star has just been chosen to star as English famed mathematician Alan Turing in long-gestating project "The Imitation Game".

Deadline breaks the news that Cumberbatch is still in deep talks but he hasn't signed the deal. The project already taps "Headhunters" helmer Morten Tyldum to direct and Graham Moore to pen the script, which made the 2011 Black List.

The project, originally set up at Warner Bros. Pictures, initially had Leonardo DiCaprio filling the prestigious role of Turing. The Calvin Candie of "Django Unchained", however, later decided to exit the gig but the reason remained unclear.

As a result of DiCaprio's departure, Warners was said to become less interested in the project and decide to let go of the potential awards-contender picture. Thus, CAA must now find a new home for the project, which originally tapped J Blakeson as the helmer.

Warners acquired "The Imitation Game" based on Moore's Black List spec for seven-figure deal in fall 2011. The story chronicles the up-and-down life story of Turing, an English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and computer scientist who was born in 1912.

The genius was also a key codebreaker for the British during the World War II. However, he was said to have a tormented soul and was criminally prosecuted for his homosexuality. In 1954, he decided to kill himself by eating a cyanide-laced apple.

Cumberbatch will soon be seen starring as the much-talked-about villain in J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek Into Darkness". He's also nabbed the role of Julian Assange in DreamWorks' "The Fifth Estate". His other forthcoming high-end projects include "The Hobbit" trilogy, "12 Years a Slave" and "August: Osage County".

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