Benedict Cumberbatch has stripped down to a towel to play a chief executive named Benedict Lumberjack for an advert highlighting the role of pension funds in fossil fuel projects.
The Sherlock actor, 48, can be heard saying ‘I’m so hot right now’ while he sits in a sauna and watches the world’s forests burn in a campaign video created on behalf of the group Make My Money Matter.
Lumberjack encourages people to not ‘change a thing’ and to ‘keep your pension cash pouring in’ because it will benefit people like him and ‘keep the fires of profit burning’.
‘The business of deforestation is on fire and it’s all thanks to you,’ the character says.
‘We’ve taken billions of your hard-earned pounds and used them to fuel our exploits through the Amazon and beyond.
‘The money from your pension has helped scorch, slash and burn entire rainforests, and our profits are growing like, well, wildfire.
Benedict Cumberbatch has stripped down to a towel to play a chief executive named Benedict Lumberjack for an advert highlighting the role of pension funds in fossil fuel projects
The Sherlock actor, 48, can be heard saying ‘I’m so hot right now’ while he sits in a sauna and watches the world’s forests burn in a campaign video created on behalf of the group Make My Money Matter
‘Some parts of the world are literally burning, but you know, it’s just the bits that nobody cares about.
‘Look, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the rainforest.’
The advert, created by agency Lucky Generals and directed by Sophia Ray, aims to increase public awareness of the role of the UK pensions industry in financing companies that help to drive the climate crisis.
Research from the campaign group found UK pension schemes invest around £88 billion in fossil fuel companies.
Director of the video Ray said: ‘It was a dream to direct a project like this. A strong idea for an extremely important cause, brought to life with a mesmerisingly powerful talent like Benedict.
‘It’s a strong reminder that we can align our financial decisions with our values, and I’m proud to be part of this important conversation for change.’
Cumberbatch is known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC drama series and Doctor Strange in the Marvel films.
He has received Academy Award nominations for his roles in The Imitation Game (2014) and The Power Of The Dog (2021).
Lumberjack encourages people to not ‘change a thing’ and to ‘keep your pension cash pouring in’ because it will benefit people like him and ‘keep the fires of profit burning’
‘The business of deforestation is on fire and it’s all thanks to you,’ the character says. ‘We’ve taken billions of your hard-earned pounds and used them to fuel our exploits through the Amazon and beyond’
The advert, created by agency Lucky Generals and directed by Sophia Ray, aims to increase public awareness of the role of the UK pensions industry in financing companies that help to drive the climate crisis
Research from the campaign group found UK pension schemes invest around £88 billion in fossil fuel companies
Director of the video Ray said: ‘It was a dream to direct a project like this. A strong idea for an extremely important cause, brought to life with a mesmerisingly powerful talent like Benedict’
Last year, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman dressed as a latex-wearing oil executive called Oblivia Coalmine in a campaign video from the group.
Benedict will next star alongside Olivia in a remake of Hollywood classic War Of The Roses.
This summer the actors filmed a very amorous scene together while shooting in Devon.
The message at the end would be sure to catch people’s attention
Last year, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman dressed as a latex-wearing oil executive called Oblivia Coalmine in a campaign video from the group
The two British acting titans were seen passionately kissing against a car for The Roses.
Oscar winning star Olivia, 50, wrapped her arms around her handsome co-star as he lifted her up onto the car bonnet while they locked lips for the scene.
They are following in the footsteps of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, whose chemistry blazed through the screen in the original movie.
Benedict and Olivia play a married couple whose increasingly bitter separation explodes into comically exaggerated resentment and hatred.
