Marvel has found its new Doctor Strange in Benedict Cumberbatch, Deadline is reporting.
 
Negotiations are about to begin, with Marvel needing to move quickly to meet plans to start filming in the spring (see "'Doctor Strange' to Shoot in U.K.").  A planned deal with Joaquin Phoenix fell apart earlier this month (see "Joaquin Phoenix Out as Doctor Strange"). 
 
This stand-alone film is important for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, since it finally opens the third, supernatural, side of the Marvel Universe (see "Marvel Opening Third Side of Movie Universe").
 
Cumberbatch has plenty of geek cred; he played Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness and the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit films, and has also spent four years starring in the title role of BBC’s Sherlock Holmes.