Here’s a turn up for the (magic) books… Months after he was originally rumoured for the role, and after various potential contenders have come and gone, it appears Benedict Cumberbatch is indeed Marvel’s choice to be Doctor Strange
According to Deadline., the once and future Sherlock is in negotiations for the role, but with no formal confirmation from Marvel yet, this one will have to linger on the margins of the rumoursphere for a little longer. We'll have to wait and see if the deal closes, although Cumberbatch may already be being measured for capes and such by director Scott Derrickson. With a Marvel announcement due this morning, confirmation may arrive very soon.
The Sinister overseer, working from a script by Jon Spaihts, will bring to life the character originally conjured by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. He started as a selfish New York surgeon (named Stephen Strange) who loses his professional skills in a car crash. After falling on hard times, he visits a healer in the Himalayas known as The Ancient One, and learns to tap into psychic and magical powers. In recognition of his selfless efforts to thwart evil fellow disciple Baron Mordo, he’s taught the mystical arts and sets out to defeat other shady sorcerers and various villains.
Assuming his casting works out – Marvel will want to lock this one down after Joaquin Phoenix flirted with the role – Cumberbatch will likely commit to several appearances of varying influence after his initial Strange solo film, now set for a July 8, 2016 release date.
For those needing their Cumberbatch boost before then, he has The Imitation Game due on November 14, followed by voice roles in **Penguins Of Madagascar **on December 5 and The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, which will feature his performance capture work as Smaug and the Necromancer.Head here for a viewing guide to Cumberbatch's best turns to date.
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