‘Doctor Strange’ Casting Update: Benedict Cumberbatch 'Confirmed' As Lead, Fans React

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch smiles as he arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars Party in West Hollywood, California March 3, 2014. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

The long list of possible actors for the title role of "Doctor Strange" ends with Benedict Cumberbatch. It's long been rumoured the "Sherlock Holmes" star is in talks to play as Dr. Stephen Strange. Apparently, recent reports have confirmed this to be true.

Deadline's Mike Fleming said Marvel has finally found its perfect choice for "Doctor Strange." In an exclusive report, the writer claimed he's heard "Benedict Cumberbatch is the studio's choice for the superhero pic, and negotiations are about to begin." This news reportedly came after publicists confirmed Joaquin Phoenix has backed out from the role. According to Movieweb, the "Walk the Line" star never signed a deal with Marvel Studios, so his name was evidently crossed out from the list of possible candidates for the role of Dr. Stephen Strange.

Actors Colin Farrell, Keanu Reeves, Ewan McGregor, Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal, Oscar Isaac, Jared Leto, Ryan Gosling, Ethan Hawke and even Bane actor Tom Hardy was rumoured to have been listed as choices. However, according to Deadline, Benedict Cumberbatch has always been the number one choice. The actor reportedly almost never got the role as "Doctor Strange." According to Movieweb, his filming schedule with his famous BBC series "Sherlock Holmes" stood in the way. Apparently, that matter has already been worked out based on this recent development in the movie's casting.

However, Marvel has yet to formally announce Benedict Cumberbatch as "Doctor Strange." Despite the studio's pending confirmation, fans have already taken to Deadline's comment section to write their thoughts on the choice of actor for the Sorcerer Supreme.

Benedict Cumberbatch's "Sherlock Holmes" fans were naturally happy with the casting. Gary W. Burton wrote, "Oh yes, if he can portray Sherlock in such a convincing manner, and he does, well the talent is there, now the beard, a new accent perhaps, the wardrobe and yes he will make even disbelievers believe." Another fan named Red claimed that even though Cumberbatch is best known for Sherlock, he can supposedly "easily pull off with the arrogant, controlling and the haunted personality" of Doctor Strange.

However, some were not too happy with the casting and called Benedict Cumberbatch a "boring choice" for "Doctor Strange." Nerdrage also described the actor as "far from perfect for the role" and that he'll just wreck the movie being Doctor Stephen Strange. Below are other reactions posted on Twitter.

If Marvel announces Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange, I will most likely die on the inside in a bad way
— ghost will (@vvilliam_) October 28, 2014

I adore Benedict Cumberbatch, but REALLY?? They cast a white guy as Dr Strange? C’mon, Marvel, you can do better than that. — e (@word_carpentry) October 27, 2014