After months, perhaps years of searching (and perhaps up to a month of negotiations), and Marvel has finally (and officially) found their Stephen Strange.
Benedict Cumberbatch will play the Sorcerer Supreme in SINISTER director Scott Derrickson's origin story, which will show Strange gaining his powers after a brutal car wreck.
The actor has been on the shortlist even before Joaquin Phoenix dropped out, and is so hot that people just assumed that he was in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENED just 'cause the voiceover sounded a little like him. He's a fan favorite, and even has serious awards heat this season due to his performance in THE IMITATION GAME. Marvel wanted a big star for this role, and they got one.
It's hard to see people getting upset by this casting, even if Cumberbatch wasn't their first pick. He's got the voice, the gravitas, and the talent to show Strange's arc from mortal neurosurgeon to the Master of the Mystic Arts. The idea that he'll eventually be pit against the other MCU cast members (or whichever ones are still around...) makes this even more exciting; neither the AVENGERS nor the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY have anything quite like him.
Mr. Feige's words:
“Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity. In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”
So we now know our Black Panther and our Doctor Strange. Next up is CAPTAIN MARVEL...
DOCTOR STRANGE gets cosmic on November 4th, 2016.
