The 'Avengers: Infinity War' has signed up to star as real-life spy Greville Wynne, who became a key CIA operative during the Cuban Missile Crisis, in the upcoming thriller.
- May 4, 2018
AceShowbiz - Benedict Cumberbatch has signed up for another real-life spy story. The "Avengers: Infinity War" star will play Cold War spy Greville Wynne in a new FilmNation thriller, called "Ironbark".
The British businessman became a key CIA operative during the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing key information that helped the Americans decode the Soviet nuclear program. Wynne was arrested and imprisoned in Russia. He was released in 1964 in exchange for the spy Gordon Lonsdale.
The Brit became a renowned novelist, writing books that revolved around his own experiences as a spy. He died in 1990, aged 70.
Benedict, who will also executive produce the project, is reteaming with his "The Hollow Crown" director Dominic Cooke.
"Ironbark" is the latest spy role for the actor, who also appeared in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and TV series "Cambridge Spies". He also portrayed World War Two codebreaker Alan Turing in 2014's "The Imitation Game", another hit for FilmNation bosses, who will be promoting the new movie at the Cannes Film Festival in France next week, 7 May.
FilmNation Entertainment CEO Glen Basner tells Deadline, "We are delighted to be working with Benedict again and to have his abundant creativity on both sides of the camera. Dominic is a master director and he and Benedict's work together on 'The Hollow Crown' produced breathtaking results. We anticipate a very exciting second collaboration on 'Ironbark'."
"Ironbark" won't be the only big spy movie making waves at Cannes. Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz and director Simon Kinberg will launch their all-star "355" at the festival.
