BEIJING, Dec.10 (Xinhuanet) -- "Sherlock" actor Benedict Cumberbatch is once again going to play a genius in a World War II drama.

Cumberbatch has given his nod to star in "The War Magician," portraying British hero Jasper Maskelyne, whose brilliant illusions helped the Allied forces fight the Nazis.

Maskelyne led "The Magic Gang" who used tricks to hide strategic targets such as Alexandria harbour near the Suez Canal, concealing 150,000 men with 1,000 guns and tanks.

The British actor previously acted in another World War II drama "The Imitation Game" in which he played Alan Turing to crack the Enigma code.

He received an Oscar nomination for best actor last year for the role, but lost to Eddie Redmayne.

Cumberbatch's own production company SunnyMarch will co-produce the film.

Gary Whitta, who worked on "Star Wars: Rogue One," is penning the script.

However, no director has been identified at the moment.