Benedict Cumberbatch Stars as USAID Coordinator in the Exciting Escape Thriller “Last Flight”
Benedict Cumberbatch to Star in ‘Last Flight,’ an Escape Thriller Set Against the Aftermath of War
Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast as the lead in the upcoming escape-thriller Last Flight. The film will depict a U.S. man who aids persecuted individuals seeking refuge from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Directed by BAFTA-winner Babak Anvari, known for his work on Under The Shadow, the script is based on a narrative by Kirk Wallace Johnson, who is closely tied to the story’s real-life inspirations. Johnson, an author and former USAID coordinator, contributed to the reconstruction of Fallujah and founded the List Project, a charity dedicated to resettling Iraqis who assisted U.S. forces during the conflicts. Following his experiences in Iraq, where he developed PTSD, Johnson collaborated with Senator Ted Kennedy to establish the Special Immigrant Visa program for Iraqis and Afghans who aided the U.S. military.
The screenplay unfolds during the concluding days of a two-decade-long war, focusing on Ali, a young Afghan grappling with the precarious circumstances of his family’s survival. Desperate to secure safe passage out of Afghanistan, Ali places his trust in Johnson, an American located 7,000 miles away, who is striving to leave the war behind.
Filming for Last Flight is slated to begin in May 2026, with locations set in the UK, Morocco, and Jordan. Production is being managed by Two & Two, alongside Cumberbatch’s own banner, SunnyMarch. Lucan Toh and Babak Anvari are producers for Two & Two, while Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland handle producing duties for SunnyMarch. Cumberbatch is also serving as an executive producer, with additional executive producers including Dave Bishop, George Hamilton, and James Pugh from Protagonist Pictures. WME Independent will oversee U.S. distribution rights.
Dave Bishop, CEO of Protagonist Pictures, remarked, “Last Flight is a rare thriller that combines relentless edge of your seat tension with profound humanity. Babak Anvari brings extraordinary urgency and compassion to this story, grounding its high-stakes momentum in the deeply human choices that define us. Benedict Cumberbatch will undoubtedly bring the intelligence, depth, and moral complexity this role demands. It’s an important story that speaks directly to our moment: a story about trust, responsibility, and the enduring bonds between people across borders.”
Anvari shared his personal connection to the material, stating, “This story is deeply personal to me. I come from the region, and what sits behind Last Flight is immediate and lived. It is a thriller built on pressure, momentum, and impossible choices, always driven by human consequence. I have admired Benedict Cumberbatch for years, and having him at the centre of this film is incredibly exciting. He brings a rare presence that makes the stakes feel urgent and alive.”
The collaborative production team emphasized the film’s significance, describing Last Flight as “a moving, wild ride that is also a galvanizing call to action: it reminds us that, even if you’re on the other side of the world and all you have is a phone, an internet connection, and a desire to help, you can make a difference.”
