Summary

Benedict Cumberbatch unsure about Doctor Strange’s future in Marvel Universe, hints nothing certain about upcoming projects.
Marvel fans eager for
Doctor Strange 3
announcement, rumors circulating about Cumberbatch’s sorcerer character.
Director Scott Derrickson praises Cumberbatch’s perfect fit for Stephen Strange role, revealing behind-the-scenes casting details.

Benedict Cumberbatch shared some unsettling news about his character, Doctor Strange. The actor, promoting his latest series, Eric, revealed his current disconnect with the future plotting of his iconic sorcerer role within Marvel’s expansive universe.

During his interview on The Playlist podcast, Cumberbatch expressed his uncertainty regarding the timing and context of Doctor Strange’s next MCU appearance. His response to questions about a potential third Doctor Strange film and its placement relative to the forthcoming Avengers lineup was noncommittal.

Who knows! We will see. We will find out. I’m not sure where he’s been and what he’s been up to and who with, but yeah, I know as little as you.

Since his last appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022, there have been considerable rumors about when Cumberbatch’s sorcerer would return to the silver screen. Marvel Studios has hinted at Doctor Strange’s involvement in upcoming Multiverse Saga entries, yet concrete details remain elusive.

While an official announcement for Doctor Strange 3 remains pending, recent developments suggest a narrative filled with moral conflicts and universe-altering stakes. The end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw the sorcerer joining forces with Clea, portrayed by Charlize Theron, to confront an incursion into the Dark Dimension.

Related MCU: What is an Incursion In Doctor Strange and The Marvels? MCU projects like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels have spotlighted incursions. Here’s a breakdown of what this means.

How Benedict Cumberbatch Was Fated to Play Doctor Strange

Recently, Scott Derrickson, director of Doctor Strange, revealed how Benedict Cumberbatch was cast as Stephen Strange. The director’s recent interview with /Film shed light on the meticulous process that ensured Cumberbatch would don the cape of the mystical superhero.

Doctor Strange marked a significant change in the MCU, introducing audiences to its mystical dimensions—a bold move that diverged from its predominantly cosmic narratives. According to Derrickson, while the film was designed as a standalone feature, it inadvertently laid the groundwork for future multiverse storylines, much like Iron Man set the stage for the broader MCU.

“I certainly didn’t have my eyes on that target specifically, of how it would be used in the future.”

Derrickson emphasized that, unlike many of his peers, he was fortunate to helm a film without the pressure of aligning it closely with predetermined MCU arcs, allowing for a more creative and focused storytelling approach.

“But I was very fortunate in that not very many Marvel directors get to step up to the plate and make an MCU movie that doesn’t have any obligations to the MCU… There was nothing that we were deliberately setting up for future movies. It was its own film.”

And much like how Robert Downey Jr. was meant to play Tony Stark, Derrickson asserted that Benedict Cumberbatch was the perfect Stephen Strange. Derrickson said they also considered Joaquin Phoenix for the role after finding out Cumberbatch was committed to another project. Derrickson had his heart set on Cumberbatch for the role, believing unequivocally that he was the ideal choice.

What happened, just to be clear, we offered the movie to Benedict. I wanted Benedict… I flew all the way to London to try to talk him into doing it. What it came down to was that it was a summer movie, and Benedict had committed to doing Hamlet in London theater.

Related Doctor Strange 3: Should Scott Derrickson Return as Director? After stepping down from directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, should Scott Derrickson return for the next sequel?

The turning point came when Derrickson proposed delaying the film’s release to accommodate Cumberbatch’s schedule, a move that required the approval of top Disney executives.

I just went back to Kevin [Feige] and I just said, ‘We have to move the date because it’s got to be Benedict.’ Kevin went to Bob Iger and Alan Horn, and told them what I said. To their credit, they moved the date and it became a fall movie.

Derrickson’s insistence on Cumberbatch being the linchpin for the role was vindicated when Doctor Strange opened to a successful $85 million domestically, culminating in a nearly $678 million global haul.

Doctor Strange Release Date October 25, 2016 Runtime 130 Tagline Open your mind. Change your reality.