Benedict Cumberbatch is concerned that upcoming Marvel sequelDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill not meet the astronomical expectations being heaped upon it. The actor, who will reprise the role of The Sorcerer Supreme, is nervous about replicating, and hopefully exceeding, the success of the first movie, especially now that audiences are familiar with the character and the scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I’ve got the Second Album Fear with this one, like anyone should, because the first one was such a riotous success and he’s become a much-loved character. They’re very good at exceeding expectations, when expectations are low. I think it’s always harder to exceed them when they’re high. I’m not saying they make them low. ‘We’re going to doAnt-Man!’ It’s just the way they make these things work. On paper you think ‘Is that exciting?’ They’re starting to take more risks now, I think. I mean, their directors are very tied into the house style. But, you know, Taika Waititi, they were, like, ‘Are we…? Is this going to work?’ And it’s f—ing so funny,Thor: Ragnarok.”
There certainly is a lot of hype surroundingDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which will pick up and tie together many of the instrumental events followingAvengers: Endgame, WandaVision, the first season ofLoki, andSpider-Man: No Way Home, in which Doctor Strange will also appear. Building on the foundations laid by these prior Marvel installments,Doctor Strange 2will hurl audiences into the madness of the multiverse, with ongoing rumors claiming that the movie will introduceTheX-Men, The Illuminati, The Fantastic Four, andBlade. No wonderBenedict Cumberbatchis so worried about the release of Doctor Strange’s second album.
What we do know, is thatDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill bring back several familiar faces, includingElizabeth Olsen as Wanda MaximoffAKA Scarlet Witch, Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo. The sequel will also introduce Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, who also goes by Miss America, and possesses the power of interdimensional travel.
Cumberbatch also revealed the initial doubts he had about playing the role of Doctor Strange in the first place, due to concerns over outdated aspects of the character. “I kind of had my doubts about it, from just going into the comics. I thought ‘This is a very dated, sexist character’. And it’s very tied up in that crossover, that kind of East meets West occultism movement of the Sixties and Seventies,” the actor said. Of course, once he heardwhat Marvel had in mind, Cumberbatch quickly became eager to grow a goatee. “And then they sort of sold me on the bigger picture, on ‘Oh no, don’t worry, this will be very much a character of his time,” he continued. “And, yes, he has attitude problems… but this is what we envisage.'”
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis scheduled to be released inmovie theatersin the United States on July 29, 2025, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. This comes to us courtesy ofEsquire.
