Benedict Cumberbatch has signed on to star in the languishing adaptation The Lost City of Z for writer-director James Gray (Two Lovers, We Own the Night). Here's the official description of David Grann's novel from the author's website.

"In 1925, Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. For centuries Europeans believed the world's largest jungle concealed the glittering kingdom of El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many scientists convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. But Fawcett, whose daring expeditions helped inspire Conan Doyle's The Lost World, had spent years building his scientific case. Captivating the imagination of millions around the globe, Fawcett embarked with his twenty-one-year-old son, determined to prove that this ancient civilization-which he dubbed "Z"-existed. Then he and his expedition vanished."

Brad Pitt had been attached to star in the project back in 2008, but he bowed out in 2010. The actor is still producing alongside his Plan B Productions partner Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Anthony Katagas, all of whom produced the upcoming drama 12 Years a Slave which stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

We reported yesterday that Benedict Cumberbatch may be playing a Sith Lord in the highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII, although nothing has been confirmed by LucasFilm at this time. Since no production schedule was given for The Lost City of Z, it isn't known if there may be a conflict, should the actor actually be confirmed for Star Wars: Episode VII.