'Doctor Strange' cast news & spoilers: Marvel chooses Benedict Cumberbatch over Ryan Gosling, Joaquin Phoenix

A role as complex as “Doctor Strange” would require a certain level of finesse and acting prowess to justify its complexities, but Benedict Cumberbatch had always rested easy as he always knew that he was clearly the favourite for the role. It is reported that Marvel was so desperate to have Cumberbatch in the film that the whole thing was moved just to accommodate the theatre schedule.

Spoiler alert! This article contains "Doctor Strange" spoilers. Read on if you would like to know what happens next before the new episode airs.

Independent reports that earlier, Cumberbatch had signed up to perform in a production of Hamlet in London at the same time the movie was supposed to start filming. Being as professional as he is, Cumberbatch told director Scoot Derrickson that he cannot bail out of Hamlet since he has already given his word.

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In an interview, the actor reveals that the though this had made him lost the part for Doctor Strange. “I really did think I had to kiss it goodbye” he said. Pending this, Derrickson began meeting with different high profile actors who were seemingly also suitable for the role which included Ryan Gosling, Joaquin Phoenix and Jared Leto who later became cast as Joker in “Suicide Squad.” After all this, Derrickson even became more firm on his decision that the role indeed will be going to Cumberbatch.

Cinema Blend reports that Cumberbatch’s road to be cast as Dr. Stephen Strange was by no means any easy feat. It is also reported that Derrickson had only seriously considered Cumberbatch for the role so bad that Marvel delayed the production of the movie. While the movie was initially scheduled to begin production, Cumberbatch had already committed to a role in a stage production of Hamlet which he could not leave. This, however, did not make Derrickson change his mind as he was already set to get Cumberbatch and no other for the role.

Cumberbatch was very flattered by this decision by Marvel to go out of their way to accommodate him. The fact that Marvel did delay production so that Benedict Cumberbatch can still have the role says a lot about how both value the role.

The Sorcerer Supreme will be seen in the big screen as “Doctor Strange” unleashes his spells in cinemas on November 4, 2016.

Doctor Strange Official Trailer 2