Benedict Cumberbatch Drama Nabs 'Theory of Everything' Screenwriter (Exclusive)

Anthony McCarten will pen 'How to Stop Time,' which follows a man who looks 41-year-old but has actually been alive for centuries.

The Theory of Everything screenwriter Anthony McCarten is in talks to pen the screenplay for the drama How to Stop Time, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film is an adaptation of Matt Haig's 2017 book about Tom Hazard (Cumberbatch), a man who may look like an ordinary 41-year-old but, owing to an extremely rare condition, has been alive for centuries. Cumberbatch will exec produce via his SunnyMarch production company alongside Canongate CEO Jamie Byng.

StudioCanal is fully financing How to Stop Time and will distribute in its territories, the U.K., France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

McCarten wrote the script for The Theory of Everything, which starred Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. It was nominated for five Oscars including best picture. Also a novelist and a playwright, McCarten wrote the scripts for several upcoming projects including Focus’ Darkest Hour (which will play at TIFF) and Bryan Singer’s Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. He is repped by ICM Partners.