‘Could you not afford to have a longer theatrical release?’ Benedict Cumberbatch questions why The Power Of The Dog had such a short cinema run before it hit Netflix

Benedict Cumberbatch has questioned why his film The Power Of The Dog had such a short run in cinemas before it was released on Netflix.

The actor, 45, who plays cruel rancher Phil Burbank in the 12-time Oscar nominated drama shared his misgivings about the decision of distributors Netflix as he asked: ‘Could you not afford to have a longer theatrical release?’

His words came as he cut a hunky figure showing off his toned torso beneath a wet white T-shirt in a stunning new photoshoot for Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood issue.

Having his say: Benedict Cumberbatch has questioned why his film The Power Of The Dog had such a short run in cinemas before it was released on Netflix as he featured on Vanity Fair’s cover

The star was seen dripping wet and covered in soap suds after climbing out of a copper bathtub surrounded by swans in his striking cover image. 

The Oscar nominee joined Idris Elba, Penelopé Cruz, Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Simu Liu, Andrew Garfield and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez in the publication’s annual celebration of stars who have been recognised for breaking boundaries in Hollywood. 

And during his interview with the magazine, Benedict shared his bewilderment that The Power Of The Dog only had only been playing in select movie theatres for two weeks before being aired on the streaming giant.

Prior to its cinematic release, the Jane Campion directed Western psychological film had screened exclusively at film festivals around in September, including the Venice International Film Festival, London Film Festival and other prestigious festivals including Toronto, Zurich and Montclair.  

Star: The actor, 45, who plays cruel rancher Phil Burbank in the 12-time Oscar nominated drama shared his misgivings about the decision of distributors Netflix as he asked: ‘Could you not afford to have a longer theatrical release?’

Questioning how things worked, he told Vanity Fair: ‘If I’m in the belly of the beast, then surely I can start asking questions of it.’   

He went on to give a public message for Netflix bosses, stating: ‘This is for Scott [Stuber] and Ted [Sarandos] and everyone who runs Netflix: Could you not afford to have a longer theatrical release?’

The Doctor Strange star then reflected: ‘Maybe not. I don’t know. I’m positioning this as a question publicly in Vanity Fair. I haven’t actually had this conversation with them, but I would and I will.’

Benedict also cut a striking figure in a puff-sleeved black blazer as he posed for an arty photo with his fellow film stars.

Strike a pose: Benedict also cut a striking figure in a puff-sleeved black blazer as he posed for an arty photo with his fellow film stars

It comes after the Oscar nominations were revealed earlier this month, with The Power Of The Dog bagging 12 nods, including Best Picture, Leading Actor for Benedict, Supporting Actress for Kirsten Dunst and Director and Adapted Screenplay for Jane Campion.

The Western drama is the film adaptation of Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel and was released in theatres as well as Netflix late last year.

The film stars Benedict alongside Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee, who also both earned a Supporting Actor nomination, as secretive, psychologically duelling rivals on a 1920s Montana ranch.

The Power Of The Dog landed nominations for Supporting Actress, Achievement in Sound, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Best Actor, Director and Best Picture.

Movie magic: The Power Of The Dog leads the Oscar nominations with 12 nods, including Best Picture and Leading Actor for Benedict (pictured with co-star Kodi Smit-McPhee)

Campion is the first woman to ever be nominated twice for Best Director, following her nod for 1993’s The Piano. Last year, Chloé Zhao became the second woman to ever win the award.     

The latest Vanity Fair shows eight shining stars who are breaking boundaries, thrilling audiences, and inventing the movieland they want to live in.

The 2022 Hollywood portfolio features Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos), Kristen Stewart (Spencer), Idris Elba (The Harder They Fall), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers), Andrew Garfield (tick, tick…BOOM!), Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose; tick, tick…BOOM!), and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).

The project was brought to life by renowned conceptual artists Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari for the second year in a row.

The Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue is available via digital download and on newsstands on Friday 25 February.

Cover stars: The latest Vanity Fair shows eight shining stars who are breaking boundaries, thrilling audiences, and inventing the movieland they want to live in

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