Benedict Cumberbatch Talks Epic Scale of 'Doctor Strange' Sequel and Hosting 'SNL' (Exclusive)

EXCLUSIVE: A Cannes Market teeming with strong film packages adds a new one.

With Sam Raimi‘s “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness” out in theaters screenwriter Michael Waldron (“Loki“) is now doing a bevy of interviews (our own can be read and listened to here). During those conversations, Waldron has been revealing some of the characters that were considered for the latest installment in the Multiverse saga but didn’t make the cut because Marvel squashed those ideas early on.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that he once turned down the opportunity to play a Marvel villain.Before taking on the role of the surgeon-turned-sorcerer, the actor was approached to play Malekith the Accursed in Thor: The Dark World, a part that ultimately went to Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston.Recalling the offer in an interview with BBC Radio 1, Cumberbatch admitted that he was “flattered” to be “invited to the party” but that he was holding out for “something a bit more juicy.”“[The Doctor Strange role] happened as an idea muted after, funnily enough, another little dance I did for another character in the MCU, a very brief character,” he said.“I was bold enough to say: ‘I’m really flattered to be invited to the party, but I’d rather hold out for something a bit more juicy.’”Cumberbatch explained that his decision to turn down the villainous role was partly down to the fact that he’d just finished playing an antagonist in Star Trek: Into Darkness.The actor portrayed the iconic Star Trek villain Khan in the 2013 film. His casting as Doctor Strange was announced a year later.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Benedict Cumberbatch and members of the “Saturday Night Live” cast showed their support for women’s rights and Roe v.

Regular viewers of “Saturday Night Live” already know that Chloe Fineman can deliver some uncannily accurate celebrity impressions.

Benedict Cumberbatch returned to host “Saturday Night Live” for the second time over the weekend, and the celebrated actor kicked things off poking light fun at Will Smith’s Oscars controversy.

Benedict Cumberbatch joked about being “beat by Will Smith” at the Oscars while hosting this weekend’s Saturday Night Live (7 May). The actor, who is currently appearing in the title role in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, opened his monologue by pointing out that the majority of the sketches he was pitched for the show revolved around the character. “Most were about Doctor Strange,” he said.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked draft opinion that threatens to overturn Roe v. Wade loomed large over Saturday Night Live, from the cold open to the Weekend Update to the curtain call. As they walked out to take a bow, the episode’s host, Benedict Cumberbatch, and several Saturday Night Live cast members wore white T-shirts with 1973 on them, which is the year the Supreme Court’s landmark decision was made. Garments with 1973 emblazoned on them have been used to show support for Roe v. Wade.

Benedict Cumberbatch hosted tonight’s Saturday Night Live to promote his new movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. He mentioned the hugely popular Marvel franchise in his opening monologue, and the movie also was referenced in the very last skit, cast member Chloe Fineman’s “The Understudy”.

Benedict Cumberbatch and a number of stars took a political stand during the closing moments of the new episode over the weekend.As the host of this week's, Cumberbatch led the goodnights with the cast and musical guests, Arcade Fire, on stage.However, the star took a quiet stand against the ongoing political controversy surrounding the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that threatens to overturn Roe V. Wade and put women's abortion and reproductive rights at risk.Cumberbatch and cast members Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd and Cecily Strong all rocked white T-shirts with 1973 written across the front in blue and red.

Cumberbitches, get ready to see Benedict in a way you’ve never seen before — sipping hooch on a toilet and living his best life!

Benedict Cumberbatch tonight made his second appearance as host of SNL, alluding in his opening monologue to his new film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which hit theaters in the U.S. on Friday.

Benedict Cumberbatch returned to host for the second time over the weekend, and the celebrated actor kicked things off poking light fun at Will Smith's Oscars controversy.«I really am thrilled to be back hosting . It's been a really fun, great week. I have to be honest though, because most of the sketch writers pitched me sketches every day, and most were about ,» Cumberbatch shared as he stood on the iconic Studio 8H stage. «Which is great, I love the guy, I love playing the character… but I have been in other films.»Cumberbatch joked that Executive Producer Lorne Michaels then asked him, «Like what?»«And I said, 'Well, like .' And he said, 'Nobody saw it,'» Cumberbatch recalled.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” goes to some odd places in the course of its runtime, ping-ponging beyond the MCU to places beyond.But it never stops in a game show universe.Thankfully, we corrected that. We asked the film’s stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong and Xochitl Gomez to play a Strange Quiz – a trivia game where every answer has the word “Strange” in it.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is finally here, and TheWrap recently sat down with the film’s director and cast (including, of course, the former Sorcerer Supreme himself, Benedict Cumberbatch) to discuss all things “Strange.”Learn how Sam Raimi became involved in the project, whether Benedict Cumberbatch is eager to make more “Doctor Strange” movies and how Rachel McAdams got pulled back into the multiverse. Plus hear from the current Sorcerer Supreme (Benedict Wong) and the MCU’s newest recruit (Xochitl Gomez).

Arcade Fire and Benedict Cumberbatch have appeared together in a humorous new promo clip for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live – you can watch the band constantly interrupt the actor below.Arcade Fire will feature on the long-running comedy series tomorrow (May 7) as the musical guests, where they’ll perform in support of their new album ‘WE’.The band will be joined tomorrow by SNL guest-host Cumberbatch, who is taking on the role this weekend in support of his new film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.A new SNL promo has now been released starring the actor and Arcade Fire, along with castmember Ego Nwodim. In the clip, Cumberbatch attempts to present the segment according to the script, but his efforts are scuppered by Nwodim and the members of Arcade Fire, who all chip in to individually introduce themselves.The clip ends with Cumberbatch walking off in mock-frustration, leaving Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara to introduce himself on his own.

If you’re a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you may want to what Benedict Cumberbatch’s net worth is and how his salary for the Doctor Strange movies compares to his other MCU films.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters at midnight, and Benedict Cumberbatch‘s salary for the Marvel film was recently revealed.