Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his portrayal of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), recently shared his thoughts on the dynamics of playing heroes and villains during a Reddit AMA session. When asked about which role he finds more enjoyable, Cumberbatch expressed that he believes playing a villain is “definitely more fun.” He elaborated that a well-developed hero, faced with significant challenges and obstacles reminiscent of compelling villains, can also provide a thrilling experience. “Inhabiting a villain is a license to take vicarious thrills in the worst of our nature letting rip,” he stated, highlighting the freedoms actors often feel when portraying antagonistic characters.
Cumberbatch first debuted as Stephen Strange in the 2016 film Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson. He reprised this iconic role in the sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released in 2022. Recent reports indicate that a third Doctor Strange movie is in the early stages of development at Marvel Studios, with Cumberbatch being more involved behind the scenes.
Over the years, his version of Doctor Strange has made appearances in several major MCU blockbusters, including Thor: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Fans can look forward to his return in upcoming Avengers films, with Cumberbatch teasing that he may skip Avengers: Doomsday but will play a “central role” in Avengers: Secret Wars. However, he later clarified his initial comments, affirming that he will indeed appear in the next film, Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.
As the MCU continues to evolve, fans eagerly anticipate Cumberbatch’s future contributions to the franchise, both on-screen and behind it.
