Benedict Cumberbatch Is Marvel’s Doctor Strange

After months of back and forth speculation, negotiations with Joaquin Phoenix that were nearly finalized before falling apart, and countless actor shortlists, it’s now been made official: According to multiple outlets, Benedict Cumberbatch will play Marvel’s Doctor Strange. 

A handful of the trades reported the news at once this morning, with Deadline claiming the story as an exclusive. According to them, Cumberbatch is now in final negotiations for the role of Sorcerer Supreme.

Personally, I’m fine with Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, but find him to be the obvious and therefore kind of boring choice. He’s an actor I like a lot and I think he’ll be great in the role, but other casting rumors suggested that Marvel would be thinking outside the box a bit with this one. However, with a relatively unknown character such as this, it makes sense that the studio would go with a big name who’s likely to guarantee ticket sales from Sherlock and Star Trek Into Darkness fans.

Tell us, what do you think of this casting? Are you happy to hear that Cumberbatch will play Doctor Strange, or were you hoping that another of the dozen actors rumored for the part would land the coveted role instead? Sound off in the comments below.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, Doctor Strange is set to hit theaters on July 8th, 2016.