Benedict Cumberbatch in Final Talks for 'Doctor Strange'

At long last, Marvel Studios has found its Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch is in final talks to play the Sorcerer Supreme, Variety reported on Monday. Cumberbatch winning the role puts to end months of speculation over who would play the role.

Marvel Studios has a big presentation planned for tomorrow at Disney's El Capitan Theater, and Cumberbatch starring in Doctor Strange could be among the announcements made then. The titles of the rest of the studio's plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and even the reveal that Spider-Man will be featured in Captain America 3's Civil War storyline could also be on the docket for that presentation.

Cumberbatch's name has long been attached to Doctor Strange, with rumors flying over the summer that Marvel was going to announce his participation during its San Diego Comic-Con panel. That announcement never materialized, and Joaquin Phoenix became Marvel's main target for the role. Over the past few weeks, we've heard everyone from Ewan McGregor to Keanu Reeves get thrown into the Doctor Strange mix.

Honestly, Cumberbatch is almost an anticlimactic pick for Doctor Strange. It's almost like the Internet made this casting happen. I really liked the idea of McGregor joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Reeves would have been a ton of fun. That said, Cumberbatch is an actor with a very energetic fan base and who has been receiving Oscar buzz for The Imitation Game.

Doctor Strange will be directed by Scott Derrickson and is scheduled to open on July 8, 2016.