As a die-hard Marvel fan who’s followed the journey of Doctor Strange since his inception, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the way Benedict Cumberbatch was cast as our favorite sorcerer supreme. The story behind his casting is nothing short of a cinematic fairy tale!
Just three months ago, it seemed that actor Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his role as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), appeared unsure about when or where his caped superhero would reappear. During an interview on The Playlist podcast on May 26, 2024, he shared his ambiguity regarding the timing and context of Doctor Strange’s next appearance in the MCU. When asked about a possible third Doctor Strange film and its position within the upcoming Avengers series, Cumberbatch was vague at the time.
It’s a mystery! We’ll discover the truth together. I don’t have any information about his recent activities or companions, just like you.
Ever since Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Doctor Strange in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” back in 2022, there have been numerous whispers about when we might see him again on the big screen. However, Marvel Studios has only given subtle hints about Doctor Strange’s role in future installments of the Multiverse Saga, offering little solid information until their recent announcement today, August 2, 2024.
How Benedict Cumberbatch Was Fated to Play Doctor Strange
Around April 2024, Scott Derrickson, the director of Doctor Strange, shared how Benedict Cumberbatch came to play Stephen Strange. In a recent chat with /Film, the director explained the detailed selection process that ultimately led to Cumberbatch putting on the cape of the magical superhero.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on how Doctor Strange revolutionized the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by delving into its mystical realms – a daring departure from the cosmic tales that had dominated the narrative thus far. Director Scott Derrickson shared that the film was initially conceived as a self-contained story, but it unintentionally paved the way for future multiverse plots, mirroring how Iron Man laid the groundwork for the expansive MCU we know today.
To put it simply, I hadn’t planned for that particular goal with a clear vision of its potential uses down the line.
Derrickson pointed out that differently from several of his colleagues, he had the good fortune to direct a movie not bound by strict connections to established Marvel Cinematic Universe storylines, which provided him with greater freedom and focus for crafting a more imaginative narrative.
As a seasoned Marvel fan with years of watching and analyzing their films, I must say it was quite a rare opportunity to direct a standalone MCU movie without any pre-existing obligations tying it to the larger universe. There were no deliberate setups for future movies; instead, we focused on creating a self-contained story that could thrive on its own merits. Having had the privilege of working within the Marvel Cinematic Universe before, I can attest to the challenges of juggling multiple plotlines and characters, so it was refreshing to have the freedom to tell a more streamlined and focused tale. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget.
Just as I firmly believe Robert Downey Jr. embodied Tony Stark flawlessly, Director Scott Derrickson felt Benedict Cumberbatch was tailor-made for Stephen Strange. In fact, Derrickson initially considered Joaquin Phoenix for the part once he discovered Cumberbatch was tied up with another project. However, Derrickson’s top pick for the role was none other than Benedict Cumberbatch – a choice he felt was spot-on perfect.
To provide some clarity, we proposed the movie role to Benedict Cumberbatch. I personally was keen on having him for the part, so I traveled to London with the intention of persuading him to accept it. Ultimately, however, it was a summer film production, and Benedict had already agreed to perform Hamlet at a London theatre during that season.
The crucial moment arrived when Derrickson suggested pushing back the film’s premiere to fit Cumberbatch’s availability, a decision that needed the agreement of high-ranking Disney officials. As Derrickson put it, “I simply went to Kevin [Feige] and said, ‘We need to shift the date because it has to be Benedict.’ Kevin approached Bob Iger and Alan Horn, informing them of my suggestion. Remarkably, they agreed to the change, making the film a fall release.”
The assertion by Derrickson that Cumberbatch was crucial for the character proved accurate, as Doctor Strange earned an impressive $85 million domestically and went on to accumulate a staggering $678 million worldwide.
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2024-08-03 08:01