In just over five weeks, Marvel Studios will make its fourth run in theaters with something truly special in Tom Holland's Spider-Man: No Way Home. Following more than a year of one mysterious tease after another, from Jaime Foxx's return as Electro to the entire Multiverse being torn apart, the web-slinger's threequel is shaping up to change the MCU landscape in a big way.
Much of the hype has to do with the fact that the MCU will play host to more than just Foxx's villain making a rejuvenated comeback, such as the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus from Sam Raimi's 2000's trilogy. These returns will likely be coupled with appearances from Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire as their versions of Spider-Man, although nothing is confirmed on that front yet.
And bringing these heroes and villains together into this epic solo adventure? None other than Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Stephen Strange.
The Sorcerer Supreme will make his first appearance in Phase 4 following his key role in saving the universe during the last two Avengers movies, and his actions this time around will have devastating consequences. However, those ramifications have been an absolute blast to film according to Cumberbatch, who shared his thoughts recently on the movie and its star.
Benedict Cumberbatch Praises Tom Holland's Spider-Man
In an interview with Esquire, MCU star Benedict Cumberbatch revealed how much fun he had playing Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home alongside Spider-Man star Tom Holland.
The British actor admitted that there's never a dull moment on films like this one, dodging a question about fits of giggles by gushing over Spider-Man :
“All the time when you’re making those movies are pinch-yourself moments. I’m never over the giddy nature of working opposite Spider-Man. It’s pretty cool.”
When asked if it ever becomes weird thinking about making blockbuster superhero movies for a living, Cumberbatch simply mentioned how "enjoyable and intoxicating" it is and looked to celebrate the work for being so fun:
“Yeah, but you go into it, and you commit to it and it’s daft. But it’s also really enjoyable and intoxicating and should be celebrated as well and treated for what it is, which is fun.”
He concluded his thoughts by heaping praise upon Holland for his performance as Peter Parker, summing up Holland's acting skills as "utterly gobsmackingly brilliant:"
“I managed to skate and surf and had a lot of time with Tom Holland being utterly, utterly gobsmackingly brilliant. He’s just the real deal.”
Doctor Strange All In on Peter Parker
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland first teamed up for Marvel Studios in Avengers: Infinity War, bringing laughs and fun moments during nearly every shared scene in outer space and on Titan. The two only saw minimal screentime together in Avengers: Endgame after returning in The Blip, although Phase 4 looks to give their relationship much more depth.
It's unclear how much Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange will be on screen in No Way Home, even with the movie's 159-minute runtime, but his magic will clearly have an impact on the story right from the start. While Strange and Parker appear to be at odds for at least some of the movie based on the first trailer, the actors are having the time of their lives bringing the action to life.
Cumberbatch's praise towards Holland should only serve to increase the excitement for the sequel even further, especially since this isn't the first time he's lauded the young star for his portrayal of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. With both set to play major roles in the MCU's present and future, their next team-up will only help push their partnership forward in a big way.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is set to release in theaters on December 17, 2021.
