Why Benedict Cumberbatch Avoided Spider-Man: No Way Home's Full Script

Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that he didn't read the entire script for Spider-Man: No Way Home.

By Richard Nebens Updated:
Spider-Man No Way Home, Doctor Strange

Spider-Man: No Way Home is mere weeks away from making its long-awaited debut in theaters, and chances are high that it will blow the doors off everything the MCU has set up to date. Sending in Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange to help Tom Holland's Peter Parker with his identity crisis, the threequel is already being teased as arguably the biggest solo movie in MCU history.

Spider-Man and the Sorcerer Supreme will take on everything the Multiverse can throw in their direction, which includes no less than five villains from Spider-Man movies of the 21st century. Everybody from Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin to Jamie Foxx's Electro will be putting their full power on display in a story that will change everything fans know about the MCU.

Even for all the information that's been revealed through reports, leaks, and rumors alike, there are still plenty of surprises that Marvel and Sony are waiting to reveal until the Spidey threequel fully debuts. Many of those are secrets that even Cumberbatch himself is unaware of according to his most recent quotes.

Cumberbatch Didn't Read Entire Spider-Man 3 Script

Spider-Man No Way Home, Doctor Strange
Marvel

In an interview with USA Today, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that he didn't read through the entire script of Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: No Way Home.

While he's on top of his game in regard to keeping the movie's secrets, he admitted that not reading the whole script was an intentional move on his part. This was so he could enjoy much of this movie's ride just like the fans will when it premieres:

"You know it's a dead end, but I can tell you this: It's a riotous film. I don't want to give anything away – and I haven't actually read the whole script! I did that on purpose because I just want the ride."

Cumberbatch Keeping Spider-Man Secrets from Himself

Benedict Cumberbatch is well-known for being one of Marvel Studios' best secret-keepers over the years; he even regularly finds himself alongside Tom Holland in interviews to be absolutely certain nothing slips through the cracks. This time around, it appears that Spider-Man: No Way Home is such a big movie that he wants to have the fan experience and actor experience all in one.

Interestingly, this is a change of pace from past MCU projects for Cumberbatch, who was one of only a few people allowed to read the entire plot for 2018's Avengers: Infinity War. While that threequel was an epic outing in and of itself, it appears that Cumberbatch wants to change things up by finding out what happens in No Way Home at the same time as  MCU fan base.

This also begs the question of how much screen time Cumberbatch sees in the movie, although it's clear he plays a key role with the Multiverse coming apart at the seams. Hearing his reaction to the events of No Way Home in a few weeks should bring some exciting news as he revels in the new MCU outing as a fan.

Spider-Man: No Way Home will debut in theaters on December 17, 2021.

- In This Article: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Release Date
December 17, 2021
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Richard Nebens
Richard Nebens joined The Direct in March 2020, now serving as the site's Senior Writer and also working as an assistant editor and content creator. He started his journalism career as a hobby in 2019 and is passionate about sharing news and stories from the entertainment industry, especially comic book movies, comedy, and sci-fi. Richard looks to expand his knowledge about movies and TV every day, and he is eager to stay locked into the latest releases and breaking news at every opportunity.