Doctor Strange Star Benedict Cumberbatch Originally Passed Up Role As Iconic Marvel Villain
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Featured Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Now that Moon Knight has drawn to a close, Benedict Cumberbatch is reclaiming his position in the Marvel spotlight as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness recently hit cinemas.
If you are yet to see the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees Strange open a door to the Multiverse (no way), bringing in a threat that’s too powerful for him to handle. Did you know, dearest reader, that prior to taking on the role of the (former) Sorcerer Supreme, Benedict Cumberbatch was offered the role of an MCU villain?
If you're yet to catch the film, check out the trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness below.
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During an interview with BBC Radio 1, Cumberbatch recently revealed that he was previously offered the role of Malekith the Accursed in Thor: The Dark World but turned down the role hoping that something “juicy” would come up further down the road, and he clearly made the right call. Malekith was eventually portrayed by Christopher Eccleston.
“[Doctor Strange] happened as an idea muted after, funnily enough, another little dance I did for another character in the MCU, a very brief character,” Cumberbatch said.
“I was bold enough to say, ‘I’m really flattered to be invited to the party, but I’d rather hold out for something a bit more juicy.’” Cumberbatch had just finished portraying a villain in Star Trek: Into The Darkness and didn’t immediately want to portray another villainous role.
He went on to explain what later drew him to Steven Strange. “I sort of read the comics and went, 'Yikes.’ He's quite old school, a bit of a misogynist, very bound in the 70s. I thought, 'It's a bit cornball. I'm not sure this is a great MCU [role]. I don't get it.' They went, 'No, it would be today. It would be very much a man of today. Yes, with some of those qualities, but like a man of today would have those qualities where he thinks he's the business,' because he has to have that arrogance." Needless to say, it was worth the wait and Cumberbatch’s Steven Strange has perfectly slotted into the MCU.
Topics: Marvel, TV And Film
