Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Didn’t Feel Right’ to Film $234M Movie Scene, Asked Director to Alter Ending Which He Felt ‘Utterly Relevant’
Benedict Cumberbatch has portrayed many popular characters in both films and television series. He is mainly known for the famous Marvel film Doctor Strange and the BBC series Sherlock. He has been in lighthearted family comedies too like The Grinch and The Penguins of Madagascar in addition to playing serious roles. His performances consistently amaze and amuse audiences, whether he uses magic as Doctor Strange or solving mysteries as Sherlock.
Another Cumberbatch film received excellent reviews and brought in a whopping $234 million at the box office. However, it looks like that the actor asked to change the ending scene of the movie which he thought was very much needed.
Benedict Cumberbatch requested to change his film’s finale
The iconic actor Benedict Cumberbatch rose to fame after his portrayal of Alan Turning in the 2014 Oscar-winning movie The Imitation Game. The film tells the true story of Turing, a cryptologist, whose vital work during World War II saved countless lives.
In reality, Alan Turning was gay and struggled with his s*xual orientation as he belonged in a society that did not accept him and instead criticized him. His entire life was spent in isolation and discrimination. Tragically, after receiving forced hormone therapy, Turing committed suicide in 1954 by poisoning himself with cyanide. Benedict Cumberbatch, who was the lead actor of the movie, felt that this ending scene was not the proper way for the movie to end, and asked for it to be changed.
Benedict Cumberbatch wanted a happy ending
In an interview, Benedict Cumberbatch discussed a scene that was removed from the film The Imitation Game, even after it was shot. The movie is based on the true story of Alan Turing. He was a cryptologist by profession and his discovery helped save a lot of lives during World War II. But Turing’s life ended tragically when he was discovered dead in 1954. It was suspected that he had died from suicide, but there wasn’t enough proof.
In addition, Cumberbatch emphasized the film’s relevance, calling it “Utterly relevant” in today’s society given that it also focuses on Joan Clarke’s hardships in a male-dominated industry and Turing’s tragic struggles with his secret homosexuality. The actor noted how Turing has become a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community as a result of his genuine identity and life experiences.
According to Cumberbatch, the movie’s original finale featured a sequence in which a police officer finds Turing’s dead body with cyanide traces scattered about, hinting at suicide. But in the end, both Cumberbatch and Morten Tyldum believed that this conclusion “didn’t feel right.” They decided to rewrite it, choosing a happier ending while still respecting Turing’s legacy. The movie’s ending scene shows someone appreciating Turing’s significance and creativity, and the actor described it as a gesture of gratitude and a moving tribute to the remarkable man.
Read More: ‘I’m having a wild time’: Benedict Cumberbatch Teases Exciting MCU Future After Doctor Strange 2
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
