Benedict Cumberbatch to Voice The Grinch in New 2017 Animated FIlm

Benedict Cumberbatch will voice the titular villain in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a new feature-length animated take on the children’s story. Universal announced the casting at their 2016 CinemaCon presentation on Wednesday night.

Universal’s Chris Meledandri made the announcement after explaining the importance of finding a voice for the Grinch.

The film, due in theaters November 17, 2017, will be directed by Pete Candeland, and is being made by the same animation studio that handled the newer version of The Lorax, another recent Dr. Seuss animated remake.

The film is just the latest take in adapting the Seuss story, which was first adapted as an animated tv special in 1966, and later as a 2000 live-action film starring Jim Carrey. No additional details or casting announcements were made.

Cumberbatch, of course, will next be seen as Dr. Strange with Marvel Studios. The actor has previously provided voice work (and motion capture, at least for facial expressions) as the dragon Smaug in the Hobbit films.