AceShowbiz -

Marvel officially announced on Thursday, December 4 that Benedict Cumberbatch would join "Doctor Strange". The "Sherlock" star is set to portray Doctor Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions following a horrific car accident.

"Stephen Strange's story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity," producer Kevin Feige said in a statement on Cumberbatch's casting as the Sorcerer Supreme. "In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character." Directed by Scott Derrickson with the screenplay from Jon Spaihts, the movie is set to hit U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016.

Cumberbatch has been rumored to play Doctor Strange since Marvel announced its line-up of new movies a few weeks ago. The actor, however, wasn't introduced at the event and Feige said they wouldn't say anything until the deal was reached.

The British actor is currently enjoying his success in Hollywood. Last year, he starred in movies such as "Star Trek: Into Darkness", "August: Osage County", "12 Years a Slave" and "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". His new movie "The Imitation Game" is currently in theaters. Also starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Mark Strong, it tells the story of British mathematician Alan Turing who helped crack German's Enigma code in the WWII. He is next to appear in "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies", voicing and providing the motion capture for the dragon Smaug.