Story highlights
Report: Benedict Cumberbatch to play Marvel magician Doctor Strange
Film is set for release in 2016
Doctor Strange is popular character who debuted in 1963
Marvel may have found the person to play “the mightiest magician in the cosmos.”
According to a report on Deadline.com, the studio is pursuing Benedict Cumberbatch to play Doctor Strange, the former neurosurgeon who rises to become the Sorcerer Supreme and protect the planet from magical threats.
The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Cumberbatch is in negotiations to play the role.
The “Doctor Strange” film is scheduled to be released in summer 2016. Scott Derrickson is set to direct, THR reports.
The Doctor Strange role has been in play for some time. Among the performers linked to the role have been Joaquin Phoenix, Jared Leto, Keanu Reeves and Tom Hardy.
The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and made his first appearance in Strange Tales #110 in 1963.
Cumberbatch is currently on a hot streak. In addition to his well-received “Sherlock” series, for which he won an Emmy this year, he’s earned a great deal of Oscar buzz for his performance as cyberpioneer Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game.”