Reports have Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers) set to replace Benedict Cumberbatch in Guillermo del Toro's haunted house picture, Crimson Peak.  Cumberbatch left the picture very recently, fueling rumors that he'd be starring in the much-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.  Few details are available as to the film's plot or characters, except to say that Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) would play aristocratic siblings.  Del Toro called it a “classical gothic romance ghost story” and described it as “very set-oriented, classical but at the same time modern take on the ghost story. It will allow me to play with the conventions of the genre I know and love, and at the same time subvert the old rules.”

Crimson Peak also stars Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam, and expects to start shooting in January 2014.  Hit the jump for more.

Here are the details via Legendary's press release:

CRIMSON PEAK

• Tom Hiddleston has signed on to star in Legendary Pictures’ haunted house thriller CRIMSON PEAK directed by Guillermo del Toro.

• Legendary will produce and be a participating financing partner on the movie with Universal Pictures retaining an option to also finance at a later date. The film, which is set to begin shooting in January 2014, also includes Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam.

• Hiddleston’s past credits include WAR HORSE, Marvel’s THE AVENGERS, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, and DEEP BLUE SEA. He will next be seen in Marvel’s THOR: THE DARK WORLD, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and MUPPETS MOST WANTED. He is repped by WME in the U.S. and Hamilton Hodell in the U.K., as well as Peikoff Mahan Law and he is managed by Authentic.
• Legendary most recently released PACIFIC RIM directed by Guillermo del Toro, the Jackie Robinson biopic 42, and MAN OF STEEL with Warner Bros. Upcoming highlights from Legendary’s slate include SEVENTH SON; WARCRAFT; and Legendary’s upcoming GODZILLA project, based on Toho Company’s famed character.