Benedict Cumberbatch is set to replace Tom Hardy in the crime thriller Blood on Snow.
Based on the novel by Jo Nesbø, the adaptation had originally lined up Hardy to serve as both actor and producer. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the star has had to step away due to scheduling issues, with Cumberbatch now taking the reins.
Directed by No Time to Die's Cary Fukunaga, Blood on Snow follows Olav, a hit man who is hired by his mob boss to kill the man's cheating wife.
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Things take a turn when Olav falls in love with the wife and doesn't carry out the crime. The hitman's reluctance to kill sets off a chain of events with tragic consequences that could lead to a terrifying mob war.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was previously announced to play the lead, and it is believed that Cumberbatch will be playing a rival mob boss named the Fisherman.
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Casino Royale's Eva Green, Mayor of Kingstown's Emma Laird and Bloodline's Ben Mendelsohn are also on board the project.
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"Hoffman's trusted hitman, Olav, is a cold, efficient killer, perfect for the job," the synopsis reads. "But beneath his ruthless exterior lies an unexpected intelligence and an unwavering moral code shaped by a complicated childhood… When Hoffman orders his own wife to be murdered, Olav's principles clash with his loyalties.
"Once a violent enforcer, Olav's choice makes him an unlikely hero in a world where no good deed goes unpunished."
The movie is being adapted by author Nesbø who wrote the script with Ben Powers. Production is reported to begin at the end of the month (February), with filming taking place in Latvia.
Blood On Snow is yet to confirm a cinema release date.
Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
