Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch to play Doctor Strange

THE Sherlock star is to appear in the highly anticipated new Marvel movie as another bizarre genius — the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ Doctor Strange.

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BENEDICT Cumberbatch is to play Doctor Strange in the highly anticipated Marvel movie of the same name.

The Sherlock star has reportedly been in talks with the production team since Joaquin Phoenix dropped out in October.

His character, Stephen Strange, is a neurosurgeon who discovers a hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a car accident.

The movie, the latest in Marvel Studios’ series of popular comic book adaptations, is due to hit cinemas on November 4, 2016.

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron..Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth)..Ph: Jay Maidment..?Marvel 2015

Producer Kevin Feige said: “Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity.

“In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

Cumberbatch is currently appearing in The Hobbit: The Army of the Five Armies as Smaug and the Necromancer.

He will now follow in the footsteps of a slew of Hollywood stars who have played superheroes in Marvel blockbusters, including Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.

Cumberbatch is entering new territory with this latest action role, and it could send his career into the stratosphere.