In the least surprising news of the year, Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast as Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Marvel confirmed the rumor we’ve been hearing since before San Diego Comic-Con with this statement from producer Kevin Feige:
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.
We’ll certainly look forward to watching Cumberstrange utter magical space wizard phrases like “the Crimson bands of Cyttorak” and “The Hoary Hosts of Hogarth” in that wonderful voice. If the rumors are to be believed, he’s been in negotiations since late October, though it remains to be seen how much creative control he’ll have over the character.
Marvel also announced that Prometheus’ Jon Spaihts would be writing the screenplay, with Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Day the Earth Stood Still) directing. The second movie of Marvel’s Phase 3, Doctor Strange comes out November 4, 2016.
