Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain
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When Guillermo del Toro is directing a film, everybody takes notice and the man knows how to get  A-list celebs to star in his film. Case in point: Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain have signed on to star in the helmer’s next genre film, ‘Crimson Peak’.

Not much is known about the film except that that del Toro has described this haunted house horror piece as a “very set-oriented classical but at the same time modern take on the ghost story.” Set at the turn of the century, the film centers on a woman who begins to suspect that her husband might not be who he pretends to be. While this may seem like an obscure description, del Toro does mention that the inspiration for ‘Crimson Peak’ comes from the horror movies he used to watch as a kid such as ‘The Omen’, ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The Shining’. Thankfully, this already indicates the found footage technique that has dominated the horror genre won’t be found in this ghost story.

Earlier in the year, del Toro signed on Emma Stone (‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Zombieland’) and Charlie Hunnam (‘Pacific Rim’, ‘Children of Men’) to star in the film. With the addition of Cumberbatch and Chastain, the cast list looks like it’s become quite a film.

Chastain is hot off her second Oscar nomination for ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and, like Hunan, has worked with del Toro in the past as she appeared in the horror film ‘Mama’. Currently, she is also in negotiations to play Jane in a remake of the classic ‘Tarzan’ film.

Basically being previously known for his role as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series ‘Sherlock’, Cumberbatch has truly exploded on the Hollywood scene appearing in films such as ‘Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy’ and ‘War Horse’. Now with him voicing the character of Smaug in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, playing Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks) in ‘The Fifth Estate’, and being the big secretive villain in the upcoming tentpole ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, Cumberbatch’s star is truly on the rise!

While reports don’t reveal the characters that the two new additions are playing, they seem perfect to fill the shoes of the lead husband and wife roles. Filming isn’t slated to begin until February 2014, so there is plenty of time to find out their parts as the date gets closer.

Currently, del Toro is finishing up post production on his blockbuster film ‘Pacific Rim’ but knowing that his next project will have him direct a classic haunted house thriller is, in itself, thrilling to think about as the trend for horror films lately is becoming cliché.

So, what are your thoughts of the director’s casting choices?

 

Source: Variety