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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Marvel confirmed Thursday Benedict Cumberbatch is joining the comic book giant in the titular role in Doctor Strange. The geek world darling is ticking one more fantastical movie universe off his to-do list to play the role he's been rumored to take on for months.
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Dr. Stephen Strange is a neurosurgeon-turned-superhero in the original comics. He serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, and is responsible for defending Earth from magical and mystical threats. Strange possesses several magical items, and also draws power from mystical beings to enhance his abilities as a sorcerer.
"Stephen Strange's story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity," producer Kevin Feige said in a release from Marvel. "In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character."
Scott Derrickson (Sinister) will helm the project, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as producer and John Spaihts (Prometheus) as writer. Tom Hardy and Jared Leto were also considered for Doctor Strange.
Cumberbatch is currently in theaters as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. The actor is scheduled for a number of other films, including Black Mass and Flying Horse, and will voice characters in Penguins of Madagascar, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and Jungle Book: Origins.
Doctor Strange is scheduled to be in theaters Nov. 4.
Annie Martin contributed to this report
