Michael Shannon joins Benedict Cumberbatch in 'The Current War'

Image from Nerdist

By Darian Scalamoni

            Here’s some incredibly exciting news… Michael Shannon will star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in a movie. That’s right, according to Deadline, Shannon has been cast as George Westinghouse in The Current War.

            The Current War is a story about Westinghouse and rival, Thomas Edison competing to create a sustainable electricity system and market it to the United States. Cumberbatch is set to play Edison in the film. Even more excitingly, the movie is set to be the second feature film from Alfonso Gomez-Rejon who directed my favorite movie of last year, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. The script will be written by Michael Mitnick who previously wrote The Giver and co-wrote the HBO show, Vinyl.

            Shannon is a hot commodity in the industry right now as he is garnering awards notice for his supporting role in Tom Ford’s upcoming movie, Nocturnal Animals. He also has a role in another movie that is getting awards interest and that’s Loving which is directed by frequent collaborator, Jeff Nichols. The Current War is looking to start filming in December so the studio is trying to cast aggressively for the other roles, be sure to check back here for more info!