Benedict Cumberbatch To Play Doctor Strange

Marvel Studios announced today that actor Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in director Scott Derrickson’s DOCTOR STRANGE.

Opening in theaters November 4, 2016, the film will follow the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. The screenplay is from Jon Spaihts.

“Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” said Producer Kevin Feige. “In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Portrait

In October, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed the films that will make up Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring a mix of fan-favorite characters and several heroes who will be making their big-screen debuts.

The next two films to be released by Marvel are AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (trailer) on May 1, 2015, and ANT-MAN on July 17, 2015. Marvel revealed the dates and titles of nine additional films through 2019, including upcoming Captain America, Thor, Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy installments, along with films featuring Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, and the Inhumans.

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko co-created DOCTOR STRANGE in 1963.

Cumberbatch will reprise his role as the dragon Smaug in the upcoming “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.”

In 2013, he starred in the film adaptation of the hit play “August: Osage County,” as part of an all-star ensemble cast under the direction of John Wells. The same year he starred in Steve McQueen’s widely acclaimed true-life drama “12 Years a Slave,” which won an Academy Award for Best Picture. He shared Screen Actors Guild Award nominations with the casts of both films.

Cumberbatch also starred as Khan in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” in 2013 and as Julian Assange in Bill Condon’s “The Fifth Estate.” He received the BAFTA/LA Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year for all the 2013 roles. His other recent film credits include Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” and Tomas Alfredson’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” for which he received a British Independent Film Award nomination.

Television audiences know Cumberbatch for his performance in the title role of the BBC’s contemporized “Sherlock Holmes,” for which he won an Emmy Award for Best Actor this year. He previously won a Critics’ Choice TV Award and received another nomination in the same category for the role this year. He has also garnered Golden Globe and two BAFTA TV Award nominations for the role. For his performance in the HBO miniseries “Parade’s End,” he earned a Best Actor Emmy nomination as well as a Critics Choice TV Award nomination.

Follow DOCTOR STRANGE MOVIE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorStrangeMovie

Follow DOCTOR STRANGE MOVIE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrStrange

Follow director Scott Derrickson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottderrickson

Follow screenwriter Jon Spaihts on Twitter https://twitter.com/jonspaihts

Benedict Cumberbatch is… pic.twitter.com/uhk6anvNKO

— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) December 4, 2014