by: Clark Allen
Benedict Cumberbatch has finalized his deal to star as DOCTOR STRANGE. The actor has long been rumored to play the role, though other A-list talent were also rumored to be in the running. Cumberbatch will star as Dr. Stephen Strange, an arrogant surgeon with a promising career who loses his ability to operate after a terrible accident. Despondent and suicidal, he seeks advice from a mystical being known as the Ancient One and learns that he is the newly designated Sorcerer Supreme, responsible for protecting the planet from evil. Scott Derrickson will direct the picture, with a script from Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer.
Cumberbatch fits Marvel’s plan to snatch A-list talent to play their superheroes, as he has blossomed into a major star as of late. Renowned for his portrayal as a contemporary Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock, the star rose to prominence from his appearances in features films such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse, 12 Years A Slave, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Fifth Estate and August: Osage County. He also voiced Smaug and the Necromancer in The Hobbit films, and will reprise his role in the upcoming The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Most Recently, Cumberbatch received accolades for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, which is generating major Oscar buzz. He also recently voiced a character in Penguins of Madagascar. His slate is incredibly packed with upcoming high-profile films including Magik, Black Mass, Flying Horse, The Lost City of Z, Blood Mountain, The Yellow Birds, and Jungle Book: Origins, in which he will be voicing Shere Khan.
Cumberbatch is repped by UTA and Conway van Gelder Grant.
