Benedict Cumberbatch on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness: Stephen Strange is a true anarchist – Exclusive! – Times of India

In the real world, there’s nothing really strange about Benedict Cumberbatch. He’s the quintessential charmer who can sway people with his charisma and nonchalance with consummate ease. Yet, in the Marvel universe, he plays the rather wry superhero Doctor Strange. While Benedict’s portrayal is far from strange, the world and multiverse that this sorcerer inhabits is certainly off-kilter. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, the Hollywood heartthrob gets into a random mood and tells us about time travel, strange rumours and being an agent of chaos. Excerpts…

If you had the Time Stone in real life, which event in history would you go back to and change?
Certain fans think I should go back in time and make people forget who Mysterio was, that’s what I missed out doing in Spider-Man. I don’t know if I would change anything in my life. I know we should not mess with timelines, everything gets very topsy turvy, but there have been a few horrific mess-ups as far as the species is concerned. Maybe I’d go back in time and invent an alternate source of fuel that was non-finite and wouldn’t destroy our planet and our species.

You hand Thanos the time stone, you rip up the Multiverse for Spiderman and in this movie you’re literally turning it all upside down again. Is Doctor Strange the agent of chaos in the Marvel universe?

Yeah, he’s the true anarchist isn’t he.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard about yourself?


That I own a pig farm in New South Wales.

Have you ever seen an Indian movie?


I have, but I can’t seem to recall the name right now.

Who are your favourite Indian actors?

Sir Ben Kingsley and Dev Patel. They are Indian actors and I just worked with them and they’re great.

How was the experience of working with Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch?

She’s wonderful, she’s like a breath of fresh air. She’s the real light and force of nature. She just steps on set and everybody just kind of gets in the mood. She doesn’t take that ability or herself seriously and yet when she’s doing it, she’s mesmerising to watch. She’s a fine actress and very good friend.

Sam Raimi has taken up the reins for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness. Which film of his is your favourite and why?

I’ve watched the first Evil Dead and The Spider-Man trilogy and I’ve watched a few more of his films especially when he was attached to direct this movie. I thought he’s a very obvious fit for this kind of film with a dark tone, horror that has to be Marvelified. It has shock horror and jump scares which Sam is a master of. Fans of his work will see a lot of nostalgic moments relived in his methodology and execution. He’s a sweet man and it was a privilege to work with him, he makes for a lovely first audience and it feels nice to be able to make him laugh.