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Benedict Cumberbatch will play the lead role Doctor Strange, Marvel announced on Thursday. The long-anticipated casting was confirmed in a statement. Doctor Strange is due for release on November 4, 2016. It follows the adventures of a neurosurgeon who discovers a hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a terrible car accident.
“Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” said producer Kevin Feige on Thursday. “In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”
Cumberbatch has shot to fame in recent years as the star of “Sherlock” on television, as well as his work in theatrical blockbusters like Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit. He’s recently generated some Oscar buzz for his performance as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
Marvel recently announced a slate of new films as part of its so-called “Phase 3″ of movie development. Captain America: Civil War will hit theaters in May 2016. Doctor Strange is coming in November 2016. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 will premiere in May 2017, followed by Thor: Ragnarok in July 2017.
Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman, debuts in November 2017. Captain Marvel, not yet cast, will jump to the big screen in July 2018. Inhumans arrives in November 2018. And, perhaps biggest of all, Avengers: Infinity War Part I debuts in May 2018, followed by Avengers: Infinity War Part II in May 2019. Buy your tickets now.
