Benedict Cumberbatch Set For ‘Doctor Strange’!

Today is full of casting announcements. Deadpool has Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Jones has Krysten Ritter, and now Doctor Strange has Benedict Cumberbatch.

From Marvel.com:

The actor will star in Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016. The film, directed by Scott Derrickson with Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay, will follow the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

“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.”

Benedict Cumberbatch’s star is higher than ever, having starred this year in The Imitation Game as Alan Turing and as a giant dragon in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. He also has a steady gig working as the famous Sherlock in the critically-acclaimed BBC series of the same name, which is where I suspect he built his massive fanbase. The “Cumberbitches,” as they are, although he thinks that name is degrading. Oh, him.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always been full of A-list stars, but now it’s on a trend of getting the hottest rising ones. Benedict Cumberbatch is one on the verge of total A-list stardom, and a blockbuster Marvel movie just might be the one to truly cement his status.

Furthermore, how much awesome does Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe look? The exciting line-up announced a few months ago set the right mood, and now every casting choice announced so far makes the series look so damn good. 2016 onwards is going to be a hell of an era for superhero movies.