Benedict Cumberbatch is set to join the Marvel universe as he has been confirmed that he has landed the role of Doctor Strange.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Cumberbatch has been linked to the role of Doctor Strange, which is set to be one of the new franchises launched during Phase Three of Marvel movies, and now he is officially on board.
Marvel confirmed the casting saying: "Benedict Cumberbatch has entered the world of the mystic arts. The actor will star in Marvel's Doctor Strange, scheduled to hit theatres November 4, 2016.
"The film, directed by Scott Derrickson with Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay, will follow the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions."
Derrickson has been linked to the director's chair since earlier this year, and this will mark the first time that the filmmaker has teamed up with the actor.
Originally, Joaquin Phoenix was in talks to land the role until he walked away from the project. Jared Leto and Tom Hardy were other great actors who were also believed to be in the running alongside Cumberbatch.
2014 has been a terrific year for Cumberbatch with a new season of Sherlock, 12 Years A Slave, and The Imitation Game under his belt - a series of film projects that have sent his star rocketing even further.
The Imitation Game has brought the actor critical acclaim and could see him in the Best Actor Oscar race at the beginning of next year.
Doctor Strange is just one of the Marvel movies on the horizon, with Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant Man, Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Ragnarok, and Black Panther all set to hit the big screen between now and the end of 2017.
Doctor Strange is set to be released in the U.S. 4th November 2016, a UK date has not yet been revealed.
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