Benedict Cumberbatch is beaten and bloody in 'Little Favour' teaser

Those used to seeing Benedict Cumberbatch suited and booted might be shocked by the teaser trailer for his upcoming short film, Little Favour.

The 20-second clip released on YouTube sees the Star Trek actor bloody and rather desperate looking as he's beaten by a mystery assailant.

[First look: Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing]

The film, which was crowd-funded through Indiegogo, stars Cumberbatch as Wallace, a former soldier who's obliged to do a favour for a friend who once saved his life.

"Its been 7 years since he left Her Majesty’s service and 10 years since the American Counter part who became his friend, saved his life on a joint mission in Iraq," reads the synopsis.

"He’s migrated his skill set into a lucrative business while managing to keep his secret battle with PTSD under wraps.

"One day, while finally deciding to try his hand at a functional relationship, his old friend James cashes in his chip and asks a Little Favour. How could he refuse when he owes the man his life?"

How indeed?

Nick Moran (Harry Potter) and Colin Salmon (Arrow) also star in the short thriller, the first from Cumberbatch's production company SunnyMarch, which the actor founded in 2012 alongside producers Adam Ackland, Ben Dillon, and Adam Selves.

Little Favour was shot in June, a release date hasn't yet been announced.