Guillermo del Toro’s next film will be Cumberbatch-less.  Heat Vision reports that Benedict Cumberbatch has dropped out of del Toro’s classical gothic romance ghost story Crimson Peak, which is poised to start production in January.  No reason was given for Cumberbatch’s departure, but it’s apparently not due to a scheduling conflict.  The Sherlock star isn’t the first actor to depart Crimson Peak, as Emma Stone was previously forced to drop out due to a conflict with Cameron Crowe’s next film.  Mia Wasikowska subsequently signed on in Stone’s role, so one imagines del Toro will find an equally suitable replacement for Cumberbatch—though the actor’s non-involvement is still unfortunate.

Del Toro is currently gearing up to shoot the pilot for his FX series The Strain before commencing production on Crimson Peak early next year.  The filmmaker previously told us that Peak will be his “first adult movie in the English language,” so expectations are high.  Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam also star.