Benedict Cumberbatch is lining up another intense, prestige-driven project. The Oscar nominee has signed on to star in Last Flight, a high-stakes thriller inspired by real-life efforts to help persecuted people escape war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Set against the final days of a 20-year conflict, the film blends urgent thriller mechanics with a deeply human story rooted in moral responsibility and trust.
A Thriller Grounded in Real Events
Last Flight is directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Babak Anvari, best known for Under the Shadow. The script comes from Kirk Wallace Johnson, whose own life directly inspired the story.
Johnson is a former USAID coordinator who worked on reconstruction efforts in Fallujah, Iraq, and later founded The List Project, a charity focused on resettling Iraqis who assisted U.S. forces during the war. After returning home with PTSD, Johnson went on to help shape the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program alongside Senator Ted Kennedy — a critical pathway for Afghan and Iraqi allies seeking safety.
The Story at the Center of Last Flight
The film follows Ali, a young Afghan man racing against time to save his family from imminent danger. With escape routes closing and borders tightening, Ali’s only hope rests with Kirk Johnson — an American stranger more than 7,000 miles away, trying to leave the war behind but pulled back in by a desperate call for help.
Cumberbatch will portray the U.S. man at the heart of this operation, navigating impossible choices using little more than a phone, an internet connection, and the will to act.
Production Details and Creative Team
Filming is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with locations set across the UK, Morocco, and Jordan.
The project is produced by Two & Two (I Came By) and Cumberbatch’s own banner SunnyMarch (We Live in Time). Producers include Lucan Toh and Babak Anvari for Two & Two, with Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland producing for SunnyMarch. Cumberbatch will also serve as an executive producer.
Worldwide sales are being handled by Protagonist Pictures, while WME Independent is representing U.S. distribution rights. The project will be introduced to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM).
Why Last Flight Is Generating Buzz
According to Protagonist Pictures CEO Dave Bishop, Last Flight stands out as a rare thriller that balances relentless tension with emotional weight. Director Babak Anvari echoed that sentiment, calling the story deeply personal and shaped by lived experience from the region.
For Anvari, the film isn’t just about momentum — it’s about consequence. And for Cumberbatch, the role promises another morally complex performance that sits firmly in his wheelhouse.
Final Words
Last Flight is shaping up to be more than just an escape thriller. With real-world roots, global stakes, and a lead performance built around empathy rather than spectacle, the film aims to turn tension into meaning. If executed right, it could land as one of the most urgent and emotionally resonant thrillers to emerge from EFM this year.
