Benedict Cumberbatch tipped to play Doctor Strange

Sherlock and Star Trek Into Darkness star Benedict Cumberbatch is reportedly in "final negotiations" to play Doctor Strange for Marvel Studios. The British actor was first reported to be on Marvel's wish list some months ago, but then Joaquin Phoenix was approached for the role. Ultimately, Phoenix wouldn't commit to a multi-film contract. Cumberbatch is in the Oscar hunt this year for The Imitation Game, the Alan Turing biopic that the Weinstein Co. is priming for a November 21 release.

Scott Derrickson is directing Doctor Strange and Jon Spaihts are writing the script for the film. Doctor Strange was hatched by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko during that Marvel Comics heyday of the early 1960s. He’s a neurosurgeon who becomes Sorcerer Supreme, protecting Earth against magical and mystical threats with powers of sorcery, mysticism, and martial arts. Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing. The movie is slated for release on July 8, 2016.