When Benedict Cumberbatch joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016 for Doctor Strange, it came as a big surprise to fans. After all, no one really expected the British actor to sign up to a major franchise, but he's fully committed to the role, which is evident from the past few years.
Cumberbatch made a cameo appearance in Thor: Ragnarok and later took on a lead role in Avengers: Infinity War. He'd then appear in Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home before stepping back into the spotlight for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Talking about the sequel during an interview with National Post, the Oscar-nominated actor was asked if he could see himself playing the former Sorcerer Supreme for the next decade.
"Yeah! Absolutely. Absolutely. If they keep me, and it, interesting and keep him evolving and try to exercise his full potential as a character, I think there’s a lot of places for him to explore," he enthused. "So yeah, bring it on. I want to continue to keep the variety fresh and inventive."
After admitting that he now plans to "have a break," the actor would go on to respond to some of the harsher criticisms aimed at Doctor Strange's actions in Spider-Man: No Way Home when he cast that spell for Peter Parker. "I think you saw in No Way Home a very human dilemma. Everyone criticizes Strange as being terrible at his job... well, not everyone but some fans. But he did so not only in the service of a foot soldier, but a teenager who is having a real struggle in his formative years."
While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ends on a somewhat odd note for the title character, it's clear that Marvel Studios has big plans for him moving forward. What those are remain to be seen, but we have to believe he'll be pivotal to whatever future Multiversal craziness ensues.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now playing in theaters.