Benedict Cumberbatch said he’s planning to take a break from acting following the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Speaking with IGN at the film’s premiere, Cumberbatch discussed how busy his life has become between his acting career and being a parent. “It gets very multiversal in real life as well,” he said. When asked which Variant of himself he would rather be, Cumberbatch answered, “I guess one that’s less busy, maybe… I might be that very soon, which is nice — taking a bit of a break.” The 45-year-old actor, who made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as the titular hero in 2016’s Doctor Strange, has become a pillar of the MCU across both leading and supporting roles throughout a plethora of small and silver screen appearances.
Cumberbatch’s words may leave many fans questioning the direction of the MCU going forward when compared to recent statements made by Marvel Studios President/Marvel CCO Kevin Feige. During a February ceremony recognizing Cumberbatch’s addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Feige said, “Benedict has turned this character into an icon … It’s been quite a journey — I remember our very first meeting was set up as a general, and we wanted to pitch him this great character, and before we could, he said, ‘So, tell me about Doctor Strange,’ because you knew.”
Feige continued, identifying Cumberbatch as a vitally important part of the MCU. “…You’ve always seen the tremendous potential in this character. Because of that, you’ve become the anchor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the only actor capable of guiding us through the madness of the multiverse.”
Cumberbatch, whose acting career began on stage before quickly transitioning to television and film, received worldwide acclaim in the early 2010s for his role as the titular detective in the BBC’s Sherlock. In the years since, Cumberbatch has won a myriad of awards for his roles in films such as 2021’s The Power of the Dog and has been nominated for dozens more. During his time in the MCU, the actor has appeared in six films, as well as taken a central role in the events of Marvel’s What If…? series on Disney+.
Cumberbatch isn’t the only MCU mainstay to indicate they will be stepping away from the big screen. Tom Holland, who has portrayed the MCU’s Spider-Man since 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, made a similar statement following the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home. When asked if he would return to the role after his performance as Nathan Drake in Uncharted, Holland said, “I am going back to shoot a TV show for Apple which I’m really excited about.” He then clarified, “But I can confidently say, after I finish that TV show, I will be taking a break.”
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6.
Source: IGN
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