Update 12/4: Marvel has confirmed Benedict Cumberbatch’s starring role in Doctor Strange, expected to hit theaters November 4, 2016.
Mark it down — October 27, 2014: the day Tumblr officially lost its mind and melted into a pulsing, squeeing pile of gooey fandom and GIF-sets. Why, you ask? Because today is the day that we learned that Benedict Cumberbatch is in negotiations with Marvel to star in Doctor Strange as Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme and Master of the Mystic Arts. That’s right — we can finally stop with the endless speculation as to who will be donning the iconic red cape and growing an adorable mustache because Marvel has turned its Eye of Agamotto squarely on Cumberbatch.
Although Cumberbatch had been rumored to be a contender for the role since San Diego Comic-Con, his involvement seemed increasingly unlikely when it was reported that Joaquin Phoenix was circling the role. When those talks fell through, Cumberbatch’s name joined a laundry list of talented actors like Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Jack Huston, Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, Ewan McGregor, and nearly every actor in Hollywood who could conceivably grow a mustache. Evidently not content to dominate genre cinema with roles like Sherlock, Khan, and Smaug, or the Oscar race with his much buzzed about turn in The Imitation Game, Cumberbatch, it seems, is bringing his fierce intellect, detached demeanor, and disarming charm to the Scott Derrickson-directed film.
Be sure to stay tuned later today for further analysis on Nerdist News. In the meantime, here’s another Cumberbatch GIF to tide you over.
Doctor Strange is reported to hit theaters in July 2016.
What do you think of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange? Let us know in the comments below or tell me on Twitter.
[HT: Deadline]
As much as I love him, I was still hoping for Oded Fehr. I’ll reserve judgement until I see his performance, which will probably be fantastic 🙂
This will only piss me off if it messes with the Sherlock schedule. Other than that, i’m just gonna wait and see.
I am SO sick of this guy. Overexposed, overrated. Aren’t there any other actors out there that could use a job? Ugh.
Hmm.. I wonder what marvel said they are “announcing” tomorrow on a special live-cast…
I would love it, but until Marvel makes an official announcement (Which, may be as happen as soon as TOMORROW, at there Press Event…), I’m not gonna get too excited about it, because for now, its just negotiations…
EDIT: Which may happen as soon as tomorrow
Yeah — I was a little more excited when Deadline first reported that he was in “final negotiations”.
And, just like that, the Internet exploded
FUCK YEAH. I FUCKING LOVE IT. SO MUCH YES.