This Just In: Benedict Cumberbatch Can’t Say the Word “Penguin” [VIDEO]

Peengwons. Porkwerns. Poongies?
This article is over 10 years old and may contain outdated information

Recommended Videos

Remember that SNL sketch from the ’90s where Charlton Heston clammed up (pun intended) during the audiobook for Madonna’ Sex and kept saying “vagina” instead of… you know, the actual word on the page? I imagine the mood was similar during the ADR sessions for the 2009 BBC nature documentary South Pacific, in which Benedict Cumberbatch was forced to endure the horror that is the word “penguins.” Such a brave man.

“Look, let him say what he wants. I can fix it in the post,” the assistant director probably said. “I’ll sample the tape, we’ll build a word. Remember yesterday, on page 53, he said ‘wing?’ I’ll just use the syllables, and I’ll put a ‘peng’ in front of it. Then, we’ve got our word.”

“Okay, whoa, whoa… ‘pengwings?’ He’s gonna be saying, ‘crested pengwings?’ ‘Why are these woodlands so attractive to pengwings?’ What’s that?”

It’s this, apparently:

Poor Benny. I guess we shouldn’t expect him to land a cameo on Fox’s Gotham anytime soon.

(via Pajiba)

Are you following The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy