Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange in new Spider-Man film

English actor Benedict Cumberbatch will reprise his role as the sorcerer superhero Doctor Strange in the third part of the revived Spider-Man franchise. Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man in the film.

Cumberbatch's casting marks the third major crossover between the films produced by Disney's Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man movies.

The move puts Cumberbatch in the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man's mentor, which was previously carried out by Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), according to Hollywoodreporter.

The new Spider-Man film is due to begin shooting in Atlanta later this month. It is unclear when and where Cumberbatch will shoot his scenes.

With Jon Watts returning to direct the third part, the film brings back Zendaya as Mary Jane Watson, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, and Jacob Batalon as Peter Parker's friend Ned.

Cumberbatch is expected to start shooting for Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness in London soon.

The third Spider-Man film is scheduled for theatrical release on December 17, 2021, while Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness will hit screens on March 25, 2022.