Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek 2) is in negotiations to join the cast of August: Osage County, director John Wells' adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tracy Letts.

The story centers on the dysfunctional Weston family and the daughters who have gone their separate ways, until a crisis brings them back to their Midwestern home. Meryl Streep stars as the mother Violet Weston, with Julia Roberts and Margo Martindale playing her daughters, Barbara and Mattie Fay.

Benedict Cumberbatch is playing Mattie Fay's son, who is constantly belittled and tormented by his mother. He also believes that Charles Aiken (Chris Cooper) is his father, although he was actually conceived from an affair. Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney, and Juliette Lewis also star.

John Wells is directing from a screenplay by Tracy Letts, who adapted her own play for the silver screen. Production is scheduled to begin in late September, on location in Oklahoma.