DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star Benedict Cumberbatch Calls Sam Raimi An "Incredible Force"

Benedict Cumberbatch has opened up on the collaborative process of making Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with filmmaker Sam Raimi, and it sounds like we're in for something special next year.

By JoshWilding - Mar 10, 2021 10:03 AM EST

Filed Under: In the Multiverse of Madness

The Sorcerer Supreme has been a key part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his 2016 introduction. After appearing in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange will step into the spotlight once again for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a movie which will also feature Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch.

After Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson left the sequel over "creative differences," Marvel Studios turned to Spider-Man helmer Sam Raimi to bring the hero back to the big screen.

Recently, Collider caught up with the actor, and while he wouldn't give any specifics away, Cumberbatch did have a lot of praise for Raimi.

"Sam, amazing. He's so collaborative. God, he comes with the baggage of an icon," the British actor says. "He's an incredible force, especially in this genre. But he's so humble, he's so nice, he's so appreciative, you really wanna serve him."

"And boy, when he's happy, you know you've done something right. He's so good at getting you there and getting it there. It's been a very, very collaborative process, this one," Cumberbatch continued. "Our origin stories, I guess, and obviously the beasts that were the Avengers films to be a part of were a thrill, but you're kind of just along for the ride. You do the best with what you've already got given to do. The second time around, there's a bit more of, 'So, what do you want to do, and how do we go about solving this?' So it feels very creative. Scarily so, sometimes."

It sounds like Cumberbatch is having a blast working on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and while some fans have worried that exploring other realities could push the title hero to the sidelines, it doesn't sound like that will be an issue (remember, Raimi is a huge fan of the Sorcerer Supreme).

Barring any further delays, the Doctor Strange sequel will be released on March 25th, 2022.

Doctor Strange will also be in Spider-Man: No Way
Home; here are 10 confirmed facts about that movie!

10. Mysterio's Legacy

Spider-Man: Far From Home wrapped up with Mysterio's death. However, shortly before his defeat, he recorded some footage which was leaked to TheDailyBugle.net which frames Peter Parker for his murder (and the attack on London).

The aftermath of that will be felt in Spider-Man 3, as set photos have confirmed that the public has very different opinions about the web-slinger and Quentin Beck.

Posters have confirmed that a group called "Citizens To Defend Spidey" has been set up, though there are others which say things like "I Believe" alongside pictures of Beck.

We may not know how much this will factor into the plot, but we can confirm that not everyone is on Spidey's side.

9. Spider-Man Forms Part Of A Trilogy

No, not the Spider-Man trilogy!

That's a given, but Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has confirmed that Spider-Man 3 will form part of a loose trilogy which also includes WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

We don't know what that means, or what it will entail, but WandaVision director Matt Shakman has confirmed that he's spoken to both Jon Watts and Sam Raimi.

This has to be a reference to the Multiverse, but we can't say for sure.

8. Spider-Man Has Another New Mentor

Tony Stark was Peter Parker's first mentor in the MCU, but after his death in Avengers: Endgame, the web-slinger found himself with a new mentor in Mysterio. It made sense the inexperienced hero would fall under the spell of the next father figure to came along, but a third time?

Yeesh.

When the Hollywood trades confirmed that Benedict Cumberbatch will return as Doctor Strange in Spider-Man 3, it was mentioned that the Sorcerer Supreme will take on a "mentor role."

We're not taking that too literally for now, but Strange will be part of this adventure.

7. Jamie Foxx Makes An Electrifying Return

The biggest Spider-Man 3 shocker came when it was confirmed that Jamie Foxx will reprise the role of Electro.

We still have no clue whether he's playing the same version we saw in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, or a new take with the same actor (similar to J.K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: Far From Home). The latter option seems most likely seeing as Foxx mentioned on Instagram that he won't be blue.

No one really responded particularly warmly to Foxx's take on Max Dillon, but Kevin Feige's decision to bring him back can be explained by how poorly directed the Oscar-winner was in 2014.

We don't know what this means for the Multiverse, but we can't wait to see what Foxx can do as this villain in the MCU.

6. Dane DeHaan Won't Return As Green Goblin

Almost as soon as Doctor Strange was added to the film, the Multiverse rumors started. Then, Jamie Foxx being cast as Electro just sent those into overdrive, especially as the actor shared some fan-art of the three big screen Spider-Men facing down his villain.

That was swiftly deleted from Instagram, but so-called scoopers soon started sharing some bold claims.

Among them was the return of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin. That's not something anyone wants to see, so the actor debunking those reports was a welcome relief.

Sure, it's not like he was going to say, "Yeah, I'm coming back, baby!" but his comments about Spider-Man 3 left us with no doubt he won't return in the threequel.

5. It's A Seriously "Ambitous" Superhero Film

Does this confirm a Multiverse epic this December?

We're not willing to go that far, but Tom Holland's recent Spider-Man 3 comments still left us with plenty to chew on. Despite recent claims that he knows nothing about the film, he has read the screenplay, and calls it "the most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made."

That's a bold claim to make, and one which signals a much grander adventure than Homecoming and Far From Home.

This could mean any number of things, but Marvel Studios has big plans for the wall-crawler, and if this is his final solo outing in the MCU, then he's clearly going out in style.

4. Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus Return

It had been rumored, but then confirmed by the Hollywood trades, that Spider-Man 2 star Alfred Molina is set to reprise the role of Doctor Octopus.

He might be 67, but the actor still looks the part, and Doc Ock has never been portrayed as a young man.

Again, we can't comment on whether he's from another world or the MCU's version of Otto Octavius, but either option is likely. If we had to choose, it would be the latter, but revisiting the version of this villain from that 2004 film could be fun (even though he's dead and that doesn't really make sense).

Either way, this is exciting, and we can't wait to learn more.

3. A Familiar Costume

Peter Parker has the Iron Spider costume tucked away in his closet, but based on everything we've seen from Spider-Man 3, he'll be wearing his Spider-Man: Far From Home costume for a good chunk of this adventure.

We can't discount the possibility VFX will be used to paint over that, and seeing as Peter has worn multiple costumes in each of his MCU films, we'd bet on him getting another.

The red and black suit didn't get much screentime in 2019, so seeing more of it in action should be fun.

It is, after all, a classic look for Spidey, and so we're looking forward to see it on screen again this December.

2. A Handful Of Set Photos

Only a few photos from the set of Spider-Man 3 have been shared online, and while we could easily speculate about what those tell us about the film, we're going to stick to the facts.

At some point, Peter Parker will track MJ down to what appears to be a cake store she's working in. A video showed him looking nervous before stepping inside, so take that as you will.

Other photos have confirmed that Tom Holland's younger brother, Henry, will have a role in the film as a bike thief, while a stunt video showed Spidey leaping after MJ after she falls from a great height. That's about it, but confirms at least a handful of moments we'll see on film.

Unfortunately, none of the new casting additions have been sighted!

1. Tobey Maguire And Andrew Garfield Won't Be In The Film

Hey, don't have a go at us...

Asked about the Tobey Maguire/Andrew Garfield rumors, Tom Holland himself has said, "No, no, they will not be appearing in this film. Unless they have hidden the most massive piece of information from me, which I think is too big of a secret for them to keep from me. But as of yet, no. It’ll be a continuation of the Spider-Man movies that we’ve been making."

Reliable sources may have reported on the duo's return as their respective versions of Spider-Man, but now Spider-Man 3's lead star is saying it won't happen. It's a definitive statement too, and there's really not a lot of wiggle room there.

However...we don't believe you, Tom!

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE Reportedly Considered A Surprising Supervillain For Earth-838's Illuminati

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152 Comments

1 2 3 4

MrCamw1 - 3/10/2021, 10:32 AM

Is Ted gonna be in this? I was rewatching Candyman and was surprised as he'll to se him in it lol

HeavyMetal4Life - 3/10/2021, 10:32 AM

Awesome, can't wait, this gets me hyped more.

hummingbird68 - 3/10/2021, 10:39 AM

@HeavyMetal4Life - This movie is my No.! anticipation wise - Do you think they will go the comic's route, with Dr.Strange knowing very little about Chaos magic?
I'm intrigued about Wanda's role in this movie, but given that she's using the Darkhold to learn from ..... I'm worried :(

HeavyMetal4Life - 3/10/2021, 10:42 AM

@hummingbird68 - I'm not sure about which route, but yeah this is my most anticipated MCU film coming out in the next few years.

hummingbird68 - 3/10/2021, 10:48 AM

@HeavyMetal4Life - Its a Raimi movie, so it'll be fun to guess and speculate who Bruce Campbell will be playing - hoping that he plays a character similar to Gunns brother and will feature in a small way in future movies.

HeavyMetal4Life - 3/10/2021, 10:51 AM

@hummingbird68 - yeah can't wait to see who he plays

hummingbird68 - 3/10/2021, 10:56 AM

@HeavyMetal4Life - Gotta be someone at the very least slightly unhinged - I can go for majorly unhinged as well :)

HeavyMetal4Life - 3/10/2021, 10:57 AM

@hummingbird68 - haha for sure!!

THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 3/10/2021, 10:33 AM

The GOAT. Take all my money.

Reeds2Much - 3/10/2021, 10:44 AM

@THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - The GOAT.

oldnoname - 3/10/2021, 10:34 AM

This is maybe the only upcoming comic/superhero property that I'm actually excited about

1 2 3 4

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DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star Benedict Cumberbatch Calls Sam Raimi An "Incredible Force"

Benedict Cumberbatch has opened up on the collaborative process of making Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with filmmaker Sam Raimi, and it sounds like we're in for something special next year.

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5. It's A Seriously "Ambitous" Superhero Film

4. Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus Return

3. A Familiar Costume

2. A Handful Of Set Photos

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