Benedict Cumberbatch and John Malkovich have officially joined the voice cast of Dreamworks feature length animated spin-off The Penguins Of Madagascar.

According to initial reports, Malkovich will be playing the film’s charming villain, whilst Sherlock star Cumberbatch will be voicing an animal CIA agent hot on his trail.

Benedict recently voiced Smaug the dragon in the Hobbit Trilogy, but he’s probably likely to play something fluffier than a dragon this time around. Perhaps an otter if Dreamworks execs have seen the popular viral internet meme comparing the floppy haired British star and the semi-aquatic mammals. It’s quite uncanny…  Benedict Cumberbatch vs Otters

The new DreamWorks film obviously hopes to further exploit the scene stealing popularity of the Penguins in the Madagascar franchise and follows on from their Christmas themed short and their own TV series. The Penguins of Madagascar is due to arrive in UK cinemas 27^th March 2015.