Sci-Fi Storm

The rumors can end now, because they are true…Benedict Cumberbatch, who has suddenly become the quintessential British actor who is everyone’s first choice for any role that needs to be cast, except perhaps for female roles, and even then…is now going to step into the comics media world on the side of Marvel.

The actor, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock as well as the evil Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness, and most recently as the voice and mo-cap actor behind the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit films and Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, will attempt to keep Disney/Marvel’s streak of hits alive in Phase 2 by taking on the role of Doctor Strange.

It took over a month, but reports are that the deal is done and producer Kevin Feige has scored another superstar to be a superhero.

Despite that the name “Benedict Cumberbatch” comes up in every dream casting call (Fred Flintstone? Benedict Cumberbatch! Lassie? Benedict Cumberbatch!), the role seems almost meant for him. From our earlier description:

The character of Doctor Strange is a former egotistical neurosurgeon who after becoming severely injured in a car crash to the point he could no longer conduct surgery and falls into bankruptcy trying to repair his hands, finds his way tho a hermit known only as the Ancient One – who after a selfless act by Strange teaches him the mystic arts. Strange then becomes the Sorcerer Supreme — the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats.

Benedict Cumberbatch!

Doctor Strange is scheduled for November 4th, 2016, and will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe…so crossovers are possible.

Syfy has finally named the leads for its upcoming pilot The Magicians.

Jason Ralph will star as Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant, withdrawn yet strangely compelling young man who feels like an outsider among his accomplished peers – including beautiful Julia, upon whom he has had a hopeless crush since childhood. Dangerously depressed and disaffected, Quentin has always been a huge fan of a series of books set in the magical land of Fillory – books that still hold immense fascination for him, even though they are intended for children. When he’s recruited as a new student at the mysterious Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, he realizes that magic is very real, and that he himself is a potentially gifted practitioner. Versatile actor Ralph began his collegiate studies at the acclaimed theater program at Colin College in Plano, Texas. He is known for his roles in the feature films Brightest Star, I’m Obsessed With You (But You’ve Got to Leave Me Alone) and Those People. He has also appeared on HBO’s Looking and Blue Bloods, and will have a key recurring arc on NBC’s new series Aquarius opposite David Duchovny.

Sosie Bacon will portray Alice, an intensely shy and delicately lovely young woman. Born of a magical but neglectful family, Alice is an outcast among her fellow students at Brakebills, but nonetheless emerges as the most brilliant magical practitioner in her class. Bacon recently wrapped production on the independent film The Lost Boy, in which she stars opposite Virginia Madsen, as well as supporting role in the film Wishin’ And Hopin’ based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed writer Wally Lamb. Bacon began her acting career at the age of 11 when she appeared in the film Loverboy directed by father Kevin Bacon. She also appeared in a major arc on season five of the hit TNT series The Closer, opposite her mother Kyra Sedgwick. Bacon’s additional on camera credits include the thriller Off Seasons directed by Robert Cole. In 2013, Bacon was selected by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as 2014 Miss Golden Globe.

In the mid-season finale of Haven this Friday, Nathan and Audrey devise a plan to stop Mara once and for all. Check out the preview for “Chosen” below, plus the latest “Inside Haven“, and don’t forget to tune it at 7/6c on Syfy Friday and tweet with #Haven5!
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