Benedict Cumberbatch is to voice the role of Shere Khan in 'Jungle Book: Origins'.

The 'Sherlock' star is to play the part of the evil tiger in the eagerly-awaited Warner Bros. production.

The film is to be directed by Andy Serkis, who starred in the 'Lord of the Rings' franchise, after scheduling commitments meant that Alejandro González Iñárritu was unable to assume the role.

The movie will be produced by 'Harry Potter' screenwriter Steve Kloves, while his daughter Callie Kloves is set to write the film.

'Jungle Book: Origins' is scheduled to be released on October 21, 2016.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed recently that Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Sherlock in the eponymous BBC series.

The hit detective drama, which also features Martin Freeman as Sherlock's sidekick, Watson, will return to BBC One in 2015.

The BBC said that the one-off episode, which is due to be filmed in January 2015, promises to be ''one of the biggest mysteries yet''.

The episode will be followed by a three-part fourth series of 'Sherlock', which will film later in the year.