Benedict Cumberbatch to Play ‘Doctor Strange’

After months of speculation, sources report that Marvel is in final negotiations with Benedict Cumberbatch to take on the role of superhero Doctor Strange.

In the past few months, various stars were rumored to be in talks for the part, including Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke, Johnny Depp, and Keanu Reeves. Joaquin Phoenix was previously in serious negotiations for the role, but backed out earlier this month because he did not want to commit to a multi-film contract.

In the comics, Dr. Stephen Strange is a neurosurgeon whose career comes to an end after his hands are severely damaged in a car accident. In his search for a cure, he becomes the Sorcerer Supreme and uses his magical powers to protect the world from mystical threats. The character was created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee back in 1963.

Cumberbatch is certainly no stranger to blockbuster films, having starred in Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The English actor also has a large fanbase due to his Emmy-winning role as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock and may be in the running for an Oscar for his upcoming film, The Imitation Game, which will be released on November 21.

Doctor Strange will be directed by Scott Derrickson and penned by Jon Spaihts. The film is set to hit theaters July 8, 2016 and will be a part of Marvel’s Phase Three films, along with Ant-Man.