By the Vishanti! Benedict Cumberbatch rumored to play Doctor Strange

 

 

The All-Seeing Eye of Agamotto may have found the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Sorcerer Supreme at last – and entertainment sites are reporting that it’s none other than Benedict Cumberbatch.

 

According to Deadline, Variety, IGN News, The Wrap, and other industry news sites, the British actor is in “final negotiations” with Marvel Studios to play the role of Doctor Strange in an upcoming solo movie.

 

 

'By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!'

 

Co-created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange first appeared in July 1963’s Strange Tales #110. Strange was a gifted but arrogant neurosurgeon who lost the ability to practice his profession after a vehicular accident shattered the bones in his hands. Desperate to find a way to recover the use of his hands, Strange used his vast wealth to travel around the world for an answer. Eventually draining the last of his resources, the doctor journeyed to the Himalayas, where he met the Ancient One, a sorcerer who would soon teach him the secrets of the mystic arts after Strange learned the meaning of humility and sacrifice.

 

Doctor Strange acts as the Marvel Universe’s Sorcerer Supreme – Earth’s gatekeeper and first line of defense against demonic forces, evil sorcerers from other dimensions, and other horrific threats from the realm of magic. Strange’s existence has already been hinted at in previous Marvel films; some of the well-known mystical artifacts associated with Strange’s universe made an appearance in Thor, and the character was mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

 

(Spell)casting call

 

Cumberbatch, known for his roles in the BBC/PBS television series Sherlock and in movies such as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Star Trek: Into Darkness, had been on the list of actors rumored to play the role of the good doctor for a very long time - a list that also includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Colin Farrell, Ryan Gosling, and Keanu Reeves. Phoenix was in talks with Marvel to play the role at one point, but eventually dropped out and left the title of “Master of the Mystic Arts” open for takers once again.

 

Doctor Strange’s solo film, tentatively scheduled for a July 8, 2016 release, will be scripted by Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) and directed by Scott Derrickson (Prometheus). Strange’s film is expected to be a crucial element in Marvel Studios’ Phase Three slate of movies, which begins with 2015’s Ant-Man (with Paul Rudd in the title role).

 

Marvel has yet to release official confirmation as of press time. — TJD, GMA News