Benedict Cumberbatch is joining forces with Spider-Man once again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor is set to reprise his role as Doctor Strange in Spider-Man 3. The Sony Pictures production is currently gearing up to begin filming, with Tom Holland set to return as Peter Parker. 

 

Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange will be taking on a mentor role this time around. Tony Stark previously held that role in Spider-Man: Homecoming, the first solo adventure to feature Holland’s version of the superhero. Strange and Spider-Man previously met in Avengers: Infinity War before uniting again on the battlefield in Avengers: Endgame. 

 

The currently untitled Spider-Man 3,  is produced by Sony. The studio still controls the movie rights to the franchise. Sony has a deal in place with Disney that allows Spider-Man to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Marvel Studios produces the solo films in collaboration with Sony. Movies like Venom that don’t take place within the MCU are produced entirely by Sony. 

 

This is important because Cumberbatch is committing to another big role, technically for another studio, within the franchise. Plot details remain under wraps but with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also filming soon, theories are cropping up. Coupled with the fact that Jamie Foxx is reprising his role as Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, it is widely believed that Sony is building to a live-action Spiderverse. This means that Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire may be coming back as well. The Doctor Strange sequel will also be opening up the Marvel multiverse. 

 

Jon Watts, who directed both Homecoming and Far From Home, is returning to the director’s chair. Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Tony Revolori and Jacob Batalon are all expected to return as well. Filming is set to take place in Atlanta. 

 

As for Doctor Strange 2, Sam Raimi will direct. Plot details have largely been kept secretive but Cumberbatch revealed that filming will be getting underway shortly. The actor first played the role in 2016’s Doctor Strange, which was directed by Scott Derrickson. He then reprised the role in Thor: Ragnarok, as well as Infinity War and Endgame. 

 

Spider-Man 3 is currently set to hit theaters on December 17, 2021. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will follow on March 25, 2022. 

 

So what do you think? Are you excited about Doctor Strange teaming up with Spider-Man? Which sequel are you most excited for? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!