Benedict Cumberbatch stylishly dresses up mystery injury on Cannes red carpet

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch poses during a photocall for the film "The Phoenician Scheme" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP) (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Not even an injury can stop Benedict Cumberbatch from looking effortlessly cool (Picture: Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images)

Benedict Cumberbatch had a very chic way of dressing up what could well have been a nasty injury.

The Sherlock Holmes star, 48, sparked concern when he arrived on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet to celebrate his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme.

While, of course, looking as dapper as ever, the actor also found a different use for a silk scarf.

Cumberbatch repurposed the accessory as a makeshift sling, tying it around his neck to support his right arm.

It remains unclear what exactly happened, but it’s evident that this movie star won’t let it hold him back.

Besides his olive green patterned scarf, Cumberbatch oozed sophistication in black trousers and a grey jacket, which he later took off to reveal a baggy brown shirt underneath.

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch poses during a photocall for the film "The Phoenician Scheme" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP) (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)
The actor repurposed a scarf as a sling on the Cannes red carpet (Picture: Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images)
Rupert Friend, from left, director Wes Anderson and Benedict Cumberbatch pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'The Phoenician Scheme' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 19, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
The Sherlock star kept his spirits up (Picture: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Director Wes Anderson and cast member Benedict Cumberbatch pose during a photocall for film "The Phoenician Scheme" in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Cumberbatch posed with director Wes Anderson to celebrate the release of The Phoenician Scheme (Picture: Reuters)

He added a pair of cool shades and a flashy wristwatch because, well, he’s Benedict Cumberbatch, of course.

The Imitation Game lead also walked the carpet last night, wearing a black tux and posing proudly with his wife, Sophie Hunter.

Benedict, who has been married to Sophie since 2009 and shares three children with her, also took snaps with his cast members and crew.

The Phoenician Scheme is a comedy/drama, also starring Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Benicio del Toro, Rupert Friend, Mia Threapleton, Billy Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Antonia Desplat.

Slated for a cinematic release next month, a plot synopsis reads: ‘Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun (Threapleton), as sole heir to his estate.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 18: Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch attend the "The Phoenician Scheme" red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
He also wore a sling coordinated with his black tux at the premiere, standing beside his wife, Sophie Hunter (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Bill Murray, from left, Richard Ayoade, Riz Ahmed, Rupert Friend, director Wes Anderson and Benedict Cumberbatch pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'The Phoenician Scheme' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 19, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
His latest film features an ensemble cast, comprising Bill Murray, Richard Ayoade, Riz Ahmed, and Rupert Friend (Picture: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
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‘As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.’

Directed by Wes Anderson, the 105-minute flick has already started receiving decent reviews, with a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

While film critic Tina Kakadelis says the film ‘proves that Anderson is still a mastermind behind the camera’, she argues he ‘could benefit from letting his heart out onto his sleeve.’

In contrast, however, Cole Groth writes: ‘A film that reclaims Anderson’s visual language with a new sense of purpose and emotional resonance, it’s his best work in over a decade.’

‘It’s a film that’s filled with so many wonderful moments that it’s a joy to behold, and even at its darkest it unfolds with a sense of radical frivolity’, adds Jason Gorber.

Benedict Cumberbatch stylishly dresses up mystery injury on Cannes red carpet
Cumberbatch is pretty much unrecognisable as Uncle Nubar (Picture: YouTube)
"The Thing with Feathers" Press Conference - 75th Berlinale International Film Festival
That’s quite a transformation! (Picture: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)

Cumberbatch plays Uncle Nubar, who may have murdered Korda’s wife.

You’d be forgiven for not recognising Cumberbatch in character, though, as he underwent quite a physical transformation for the part.

Shots of him in the trailer show Cumberbatch rocking dark eyeliner and a fierce beard, complete with bushy eyebrows and grey hair on his head.

The only real giveaway of his true identity is the actor’s piercing blue eyes, which surely you’d spot anywhere.

Reps for Benedict Cumberbatch have been contacted for comment.

The Phoenician Scheme will be released on June 6.

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