Fresh from critical acclaim for his performance in Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch is preparing for his next role, that of Thomas Edison in the feature film The Current War, which is now in pre-production in the UK.

The project centres on the battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse (played by Michael Shannon) to supply electricity to the American people in the late 1880s – early 1890s.

The film comes from producer Timur Bekmambetov of Bazelevs Production; he will be part of a team of producers including Garret Basch, Steve Zaillian (Film Rites), Basil Iwanyk and The Weinstein Company.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) directs from a screenplay by Michael Mitnick.

Production Intelligence subscribers can log in for details on the shoot dates plus key UK hires including the line producer, production designer, production manager, location manager and casting director.

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Another film about the infamous rivalry is in the pipeline at Black Bear Pictures in New York, set to star Eddie Redmayne as Paul Cravath, a prominent Manhattan lawyer who became embroiled in the litigious battle.

Benedict Cumberbatch photo via Getty Images/WireImage/Amanda Edwards.