Marvel has officially announced Benedict Cumberbatch as the star of the Doctor Strange film. Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Cumberbatch was in negotiations to take on the lead role in the Marvel movie, and now it’s been confirmed that he’ll be playing neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange.
Scott Derrickson (Deliver Us From Evil) will direct from a script by Jon Spaihts.
Commenting on the casting, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said, “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.”
Marvel and Disney are releasing Doctor Strange in theaters on November 4, 2016.
Cumberbatch’s credits include Sherlock, 12 Years a Slave, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Fifth Estate, The Hobbit films, War Horse, and The Imitation Game.