Benedict Cumberbatch Set to Voice the Grinch in ‘Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'

It's not every actor who can go from "Doctor Strange" to Doctor Seuss.

Universal Pictures dropped a major casting announcement at CinemaCon in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon. As it turns out, Benedict Cumberbatch has an early holiday present for all his fans.

The actor will voice the iconic Grinch character in a new big-screen version of the holiday classic "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Set for a November 2017 release date, the animated movie will tell the tale of the Grinch who plots to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. Pete Candeland and Yarrow Cheney are set to direct the holiday favorite.

Perhaps the movie role comes at the perfect time. After all, Cumberbatch's son will be a toddler by the time the film is released.

Benedict's casting announcement wasn't the only big news to come out of Las Vegas today. Universal also announced that Broadway star Trey Parker has joined the cast of "Despicable Me 3."

The co-creator of "The Book of Mormon" and "South Park" will voice the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who has grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the '80s. According to the studio, he may just become Gru's most formidable nemesis to date.

While "Despicable Me 3" won't hit theaters until June 30, 2017, an all-new short called "Mower Minions" will debut before all showings of "The Secret Life of Pets," in theaters July 8.

(E!, NBC and Universal Pictures are part of the NBCUniversal family)

PHOTOS: Upcoming movies we can't wait to see

PHOTOS: Star sightings at CinemaCon 2016

Copyright E! Online
Contact Us