People (Cumberbitches) have been trying to link Benedict Cumberbatch to a superhero franchise for years now. There’s not that much evidence to support the idea that Benedict is looking to take on a franchise, although he has cozied up to Marvel in the past, and there were strong rumors that Benedict was in contention for Marvel’s Doctor Strange (a part that for sure is going to Joaquin Phoenix now). But would Benedict ever cozy up to the DC Comic universe? Blasphemy! Or maybe not.
Benedict Cumberbatch is reportedly considered to join “Justice League” which is expected to follow up “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. The English actor is rumored to portray the Martian Manhunter in the upcoming flick.
“I’m going to let that rumour run,” he said on the red carpet of GQ Men of the Year awards when asked by BBC about him possibly playing the hero who, in the comics, disguises his identity by posing as a detective working for the Metropolis police department.
The Brit, who was linked to Marvel’s “Dr. Strange” but later denied it, was also asked about a potential appearance as an “evil” character in the “Man of Steel” sequel. “That’s a fun one, I’ve not heard that one until tonight,” he said.
According to an allegedly-leaked script, the Manhunter was indeed among the lineup in George Miller’s “Justice League” before it was canceled in 2010. The project was supposed to bring together DC’s most powerful heroes, the dream team of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash, and Martian Manhunter.
It doesn’t sound like Benedict is confirming anything and it probably amuses him that there’s always this comic-book speculation. My take? He’s not going to DC… yet. And he probably wouldn’t go for Martian Manhunter. Plus, he’s much too busy.
As for all of the post-GQ Men of the Year Awards clean-up stuff. Let’s see. GQ UK released their Cumbercover, which looks like a reprinted photo to me (but it’s still nice). Benedict was also part of a group (including Jamie Dornan, Cara Delevingne & Sam Jackson) that did a GQ post-party at a PR executive’s home. The party was raided by police! No one was arrested, it was just a noise complaint. And here’s Benedict’s drunken speech. He does seem rather slurry, flirty and extra posh when he’s drunk. (Making a mental note to get drunk with Cumby.)
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
LOL I thought it said Marvin the Martian. That would be awesome.
DC??? This is a betrayal.
Good for him.
All these stories this week make me miss my Hiddles fluff.
We’ll get plenty next year 😉
He performed at a Rodney Crowell concert in Michigan tonight. I HAVE TICKETS TO THE NEXT RODNEY CROWELL SHOW LATER THIS MONTH!!!!! My boyfriend doesn’t understand why I’m screaming since we’ve seen Crowell before. He just keeps looking at me and saying: “but there’s no Emmylou.”
I watched Star Trek Into Darkness last night and he was a very good Khan (although I still am a little ticked that they cast a blue eyed white Brit as Khan.) I doubt he would be in a superhereo movie though. Usually they want multi picture commitments for those things, Money would be very good I bet though,
I’d like to disagree. I loved him in Star Trek Into Darkness (couldn’t careless about a white British man playing Khan, just like I didn’t care for a white Spanish man playing Khan). I think he’d be great in a superhero movie. Though I think DC and Marvel are the best places to start right now. Apart from the Dark Knight trilogy, DC hasn’t really made a lot of good movies and their taking a huge risk with the Batman vs. Superman and Justice League (the odds aren’t really stacked in their favor but I’m not judging yet). Marvel is where the real hype, money, and good movies. But someone who’s already reknown and hyped, it’ll probably ruin your image. Also Marvel is Tom Huddleston’s thing, I don’t think Ben will wanna steal his thunder.
So I’m all for Super-Benedict, but he might wanna lay off Marvel and DC for a while until he gees himself situated.
I probably would not care as much if Ricardo Montalban had not originated the role and I guess my assumption would be that somebody of Indian or Middle Eastern background would play the part. Of course this is Hollywood so every role of consequence has to go to a white male, I do not blame Benedict at all and he was excellent. Just get tired of seeing a sea of white in every single big budget movie (Matrix would be an exception.)
DC and Marvel *aren’t* the best places to start. Sorry.
Well DC apparently pays better. This is just a press question stolen off a message board. Zero truth. But as I’ve said, at this rate everyone with end up as a superhero/villian/Star Wars character. It’s just not interesting speculating anymore.
Phoniex is really giving Marvel a hard time, they don’t like that. I have a feeling behind the scenes could be more interesting than the movie.
Apparently, Phoenix’s issue is not the multi-film aspect or the PR but the special effects. He hasn’t done much green screen work and he’s concerned that he won’t be convincing.
I don’t get the payment argument. Marvel hired a bunch of non-A-list (yes even RDJ before he was Iron Man) and they were a start up studio. Most of these were risks. As the movies become successful, they pay the stars more.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes for DC because someone in Warner Bros. really like him. He did Smaug for them, now Sher Khan in Jungle Book and also the Johnny Depp movie where Benedict plays Billy Bulger is produced by WB. That’s 3 films with them plus I heard DC pays better than Marvel so why not….though I highly doubt he is in it.
Doesn’t everyone pay better than Marvel, unless you are Robert Downie jr?
Lol true that
This honestly sounds like some shade.
Guys, I am not being mean, but he looks like Martian Manhunter!
Also, I hope Idris Elba is Green Lantern!
Idris is under contract with Marvel and Marvel does not share with the competition.
Honey, we make fun of Benedict looking like an alien all the time (even he does), so what you said isn’t mean at all. If anything, it’s a compliment.
Also I’d be cool with Idris playing the Green Lantern (my mom would have a heart attack though).
Why are his fans wanting him signed to one of these films?
The majority of these movies are not good films. He would get more chances to shine as an actor on stage or in more prestigious film roles.
The only comic book film I’ve enjoyed is Sam Raimi’s Spiderman 2.
I don’t think I would want him to be in a film, unless it’s as a tertiary character. Those superhero films take up a lot of time for both filming and promotions, and he’s already got a packed schedule. Unless his character is completely CGI and he’s just doing voiceover work, he can’t just hop on a plane and pop in to do a scene or two, either.
“Downton Abbey or some such shit” PREACH, Bendy.
This made me snort through my nose with laughter. Thanks Butt Fat!
I’m right there with Ben. I’ve tried to get into DA so many times, and just can’t. I usually love period dramas.
God I hope he’s not, I could sort of get on board with Marvel in theory because of the exposure and that he might get to do press with RDJ and the rest of the Avengers which I think would be awesome but even then…nope. The DC crew, Cavill, Affleck just are so non funny and meh so nope, please nope.
I love his speech, it’s just the right balance of tipsy, nervous, piss-takey and giddy and makes me think I am right in thinking he’d be great to go out drinking with.
Ugh, another week, another superhero/big movie franchise casting rumor for BC.
I’m not a DC fan so I’m hoping not… I mean, I can see how a franchise would do good (or bad) for a career but… just not DC, please…
Even the current New 52 storylines suck. Marvel is way better.
I can totally picture him in that role. Just look at a drawing of the Martian Manhunter and it totally fits.
I call total BS. People have been trying to link him to everything superhero related (including ant man early on and doctor strange not that log ago) but he’s pretty much booked up for like two years now. I’d be very surprised if he did that.
Plus, DC has a bad track record with their franchises. They might have the recent Batman movies but that’s been their only truly shining example of a superhero movie in a long time. Even then, the third one wasn’t nearly as popular or well done (imo) as the second. Some people like the new Superman but it’s not nearly what it could have been with their whole “gritty everything” shit.
I think he knows better. He’s made some missteps but he doesn’t usually pick work like that.
I think the Joke with DC is “love the characters, hate the company”.
By which I don’t mean new 52. Like, the older versions of the characters.
This just sounds like DC click bait to me – a half a year of marvel using Benny as Dr Strange gossip that I think DC are doing it now. Saying that Cap A pt 3 isn’t going into production till April. If marvel don’t cross filming streams they may not start filming dr strange till late autumn & maybe they may wait till benny is free? marvel are getting v good are turning these films round in 6 mths😜
Apparently someone asked him if the runor about BvS was true and he didn;t deny it.But now all thing arepointig out to Cumberbatch playing the villain on BvS(or the first JL film),Brainiac.
Anyway,i prefer DC to Marvel because their movie are much more mature and have messages and themes and i think they are better production.DC’s only problem was that they let Goyer write the script but now they have fired him and Chris Terrio is writing their films.So now DC even has a more talented guy to write their films.
Plus,i think,as an actor,Cumberbatch fits better with DC’s mature take than the Marvel comedies withe the high-school jokes.
@Lindy79 I think both Cavill and Affleck are actually quite funny and Cumberbatch belongs to a better ensemble than The Avengers(and i think DC has a better ensemble)
@Anna: “i prefer DC to Marvel because their movie are much more mature and have messages and themes and i think they are better production” – Sorry but this applies almost exclusively to their Dark Knight trilogy which is among my favourite superhero films of all times. However, unfortunately we’re also talking about the studio that did Green Lantern, Catwoman and for god’s sake Batman and Robin and whose non-Dark Knight films have consistently been getting negative critical reception. Except perhaps Watchmen. Also, Man of Steel’s target audience isn’t any older than The Avengers’ (and Winter Soldier which is another fav superhero film of mine is anything but a “comedy with high-school jokes”), and I am quite sure that the same age group will apply to Batman vs. Superman. That said, I am actually looking forward to what they’ll do with Shazam and Dwayne Johnson. I love that guy’s screen presence and it’ll be interesting to see what comes out of his collab with DC.
It seems people are deliberately overlooking Marvel’s bad movies like Iron Man 2,Daredevil,Electra and many MANY other films.The truth is that both companies have produced their fai share of bad movie…i just find it annoying tht people only hate on DC because Marvel will give one really good movie followed by a bad one while DC will give one bad movie and then do nothing else.For what is worth,i really don’t like Marvel’s campy take and i don’t like DC’s serioussness.That bing said the TDK trilogy,MOS,Captain America 2 and Iron Man are extremely great movie so i will keep ckecking what these companies produce.
@Chrome: sorry but you seem to have misinterpreted me. I am no Marvel fan, in fact I am no superhero film fan at all, there are very few superhero films that I can watch without flinching. Perhaps only Hellboy II, Dark Knight trilogy and Winter Soldier (and Thor films/Avengers on fast-forward to Loki scenes lol). However, as you admit yourself, Marvel on the whole deliver more critically acclaimed films than DC. It’s a fact no matter how you look at it.
And yep, I feel the same way as you: even though I am very critical of superhero films on the whole, I will keep checking what these companies produce.
Benedict arrived at TIFF and does promo for the pinguins.
And he didn’t shave.
he also wore his undies on his head, so there’s that.
http://38.media.tumblr.com/457661116e53175f5bce4f185adb9270/tumblr_nbiydn7tdL1tq88ifo1_400.jpg
bless his perpertually cold head.