Benedict Cumberbatch in Talks to Star in DOCTOR STRANGE

Okay, now is the Doctor finally in?

Deadline is reporting Benedict Cumberbatch is about to enter negotiations to star in Marvel Studios' upcoming film, Doctor Strange.  The article claims that Cumberbatch is the studio's replacement choice for Joaquin Phoenix, who entered negotiations this past July for the role of Dr. Stephen Strange but talks ended, forcing Marvel to start over.

The 38-year-old actor is best known as the modern Sherlock Holmes on the BBC series Sherlock, as Khan Noonien Singh from last year's Star Trek Into Darkness, and as the voice of Smaug the dragon in The Hobbit trilogy.  He's also starred in a number of notable films, including The Imitation Game, The Fifth Estate, 12 Years a Slave, Parade's End, War Horse and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Previously, Jared Leto was rumored for the role of Dr. Stephen Strange and back in June, The Dark Knight Rises' Tom Hardy was reportedly under consideration by Marvel but supposedly had scheduling conflicts. One month earlier, Justin Theroux was named as being in the running.

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Doctor Strange debuted in 1963's Strange Tales #110. Dr. Stephen Strange began as an arrogant and egotistical neurosurgeon that suffers permanent damage to his hands as a result of a car accident. He searches around the world for a way to repair his hands, ultimately coming across a master sorcerer known as The Ancient One in the Himalayas. When Strange learns that Baron Mordo, the Ancient One's disciple, intends on killing his master, the Ancient One agrees to teach Strange the mystic arts after Mordo is defeated.

Doctor Strange is scheduled for release in theaters on July 8, 2016.