BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Marvel's 'Doctor Strange' Short List Includes Benedict Cumberbatch

**Posted by BrettHolmes** June 10, 2014 11:27 pm

http://news.moviefone.com/2014/06/09/doctor-strange-benedict-cumberbatch-tom-hardy/

This could explain why Cumberbatch had paid a visit to Marvel Comics awhile back. I think he would make a great Doctor Strange as would certainly have the right look and the right voice.

**Posted by stoertebeker** June 11, 2014 6:23 am

Benedict and Jerad Leto in one movie?!? Jesus, I don't think, I will be able to concentrate on anything .

As long, as the the shooting will not affect the making of series 4, I am fine with this. I love the Marvel stuff .

**Posted by SolarSystem** June 11, 2014 9:47 am

I think this means either Benedict or Jared Leto, but not both of them.
And we've had this a few days ago in another thread... it seems nothing is for certain yet.

**Posted by Tinks** June 11, 2014 10:05 am

If that article is to be believed, it's Tom Hardy they seem to really want.
I think Benedict would be better suited personally but that's probably just me.
I've got doubts about him being in this now - seems it could be just another rumour.

**Posted by nakahara** June 11, 2014 11:06 am

Althrough I´m a fan of movies based on comic books, I would like to see Benedict in something with more substance than this.

**Posted by SolarSystem** June 11, 2014 11:17 am

It's funny you should mention this, nakahara, because just the other day I said something that goes in the opposite direction to my boyfriend. I think Benedict is probably doing more movies with substance than many other actors, and once in a while I would love to see him in something that goes in a slightly different direction. And I'm not counting in something like "The Hobbit".
I'd love to see him in a clever, romantic (or not so romantic, I don't really care) comedy, because I think he would be great in a comedy and he just hasn't done enough of that.
And I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Marvel movie, although it would have to be one which doesn't take itself too seriously - like "Iron Man" or "The Avengers".

I'm sure he'll always be the man for serious, important movies, but I'm sure he can do both - movies with substance and movies with more of a fun factor.

**Posted by Tinks** June 11, 2014 11:35 am

He's one of the most versatile Actors around, imo, and it can only be good for his career every time he gets the chance to show that

**Posted by tonnaree** June 11, 2014 11:43 am

Look at how amazing he was in Star Trek and that's certainly not a "serious" movie. But no matter what type of film he's in he's still Benedict and he brings his A game everytime.

Personally I can't wait to hear his voice work in the Peguins of Madegascar movie. *giggle*

**Posted by nakahara** June 11, 2014 11:43 am

SolarSystem wrote:
I'd love to see him in a clever, romantic (or not so romantic, I don't really care) comedy, because I think he would be great in a comedy and he just hasn't done enough of that.
And I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Marvel movie, although it would have to be one which doesn't take itself too seriously - like "Iron Man" or "The Avengers".

I'm sure he'll always be the man for serious, important movies, but I'm sure he can do both - movies with substance and movies with more of a fun factor.

Comedy - yes! He would be superb in comedy and I would like to see him in one either.

But the roles of comic-book heroes are usually a bit flat, created by using patterns and well tried formulas and even very good actors have problems to breath more life into the by-the-numbers creations like this. Benedict´s talents would be wasted on this, I´m afraid.

It wold be like hiring Picasso or Dalí and then asking him to paint your wall green, if you know what I mean.

**Posted by SolarSystem** June 11, 2014 12:12 pm

I think it depends. I don't know the "Iron Man" comic, but I think that RDJ did a brilliant job and it was not just a comic book hero you've seen countless times before, imo. It always depends on the screenplay, of course, and I'm sure that Benedict would only want to be part of something like this if the screenplay and his role provided something new and interesting.

**Posted by nakahara** June 11, 2014 12:27 pm

Yes, you are right. And Robert Downey Jr. is a good example of an actor who created something new out of comics book character.

**Posted by tonnaree** June 11, 2014 2:28 pm

But the roles of comic-book heroes are usually a bit flat, created by using patterns and well tried formulas and even very good actors have problems to breath more life into the by-the-numbers creations like this. Benedict´s talents would be wasted on this, I´m afraid.

And don't forget, Marvel has had a very good track record this last decade.

**Posted by Davina** June 11, 2014 4:25 pm

Doctor Strange isn't a two dimensional character though. There are other actors that I think would bring something special to this role but having watched a lot of Tom Hardy's work I am sure he would be wonderful. That is not to say that Benedict would not be wonderful too but don't underestimate Tom's ability to totally transform himself for a role.