Benedict Cumberbatch Will Play Doctor Strange; Deal Finalized With Marvel

Benedict Cumberbatch and Marvel have officially finalized a deal for the forthcoming Doctor Strange movie.

Benedict Cumberbatch As Doctor Strange

Cumberbatch has at long last secured his deal to play Doctor Strange in Marvel’s eponymous flick, according to Deadline. The actor and the studio have come to an agreement several months after the Oscar-nominee’s casting was announced.

Marvel announced Cumberbatch’s casting back in December in a statement. “Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said. “In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

Last summer, Cumberbatch had shut down speculation regarding his casting in Doctor Strange, claiming that scheduling conflicts prevented him from taking on the part.

“As far as I’m aware, even if that was the case, it couldn’t work out because I’m doing a little play called Hamlet in London,” Cumberbatch told MTV during a Comic-Con event. “So I don’t think I could even, if that was in the cards. It sounds like a fantastic project. It’s a shame if I miss out, but who knows?”

Last October, however, it started to look like Cumberbatch would actually be taking on the part after negotiations with Her actor Joaquin Phoenix fell through. Since filming for Doctor Strange had to be pushed back anyway, the scheduling conflicts concerning Hamlet were no longer an issue for Cumberbatch.

Doctor Strange, which is slated to hit theaters November 4, 2016, will be directed by Scott Derrickson from a screenplay by Jon Spaihts.