The dark side of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Marvel prep

Eating for Marvel was a real struggle

Benedict Cumberbatch had to eat five meals a day to prepare for Doctor Strange. That included snacks like almond butter and crackers. He called it “horrific” and said it was more food than one person should eat just to fit a role.

This eating plan made him feel guilty. He said the food could have fed a whole family. Even though the goal was to look strong and confident, the process felt strange and uncomfortable to him.

Training made him question Hollywood

After feeling forced to eat so much, Cumberbatch started to look at the movie business in a new way. He noticed how much waste there was around him. It wasn’t just about food. It was everything about how movies were made and managed.

He called the industry “grossly wasteful.” He didn’t like how sets were built and torn down without recycling. He also talked about housing, travel, and how much energy was used just to create fake daylight on indoor sets.

Studio lights use extreme energy

One part that shocked him was the lighting. Studios use high-power lamps to copy daylight, which takes up huge amounts of electricity. He thought it was too much. It made him ask why these sets need that kind of energy every day.

Cumberbatch said this is part of a bigger problem. He doesn’t think people notice how much is wasted behind the scenes. Once he saw it clearly, he felt a need to say something even though actors are often judged when they speak up.

Actors are judged for speaking out

Cumberbatch shared that actors are called out for caring about climate change. People say it’s not fair for them to complain when they fly to jobs or get driven around. But he believes individuals shouldn’t be blamed for a system that’s broken.

He explained that many actors care but are afraid to speak because of how others react. That didn’t stop him. As a producer, he tries to include “green handshake” ideas in every deal. It’s his way of encouraging better, cleaner ways to make movies.

Green deals are his quiet protest

These “green handshake” choices push for lower waste. That means asking for better energy plans, reusable sets, and less food waste. He thinks it’s possible to make good movies while also doing less harm to the planet during filming.

Even though these ideas may not always get noticed, he believes every small step matters. This personal mission started with how he ate for Doctor Strange, but it became something bigger.

Superhero work was also emotional

His concern with waste wasn’t the only hard part. Playing Doctor Strange was emotionally draining too. Being in superhero movies looked fun on the outside, but Cumberbatch said the days were long and the work could feel stiff and heavy.

He began to feel like something was missing. Watching actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland helped him see that it was okay to relax more.

Downey and Holland inspired him

Seeing his co-stars laugh and improvise changed how Cumberbatch acted. He said working with them felt like being in a big sandbox. Everyone was creating and having fun, which helped him enjoy the huge superhero sets a lot more.

Even with all the pressure and planning, he started to treat each scene as a chance to play. That new mindset made him appreciate the Marvel world more. Still, he knew that not every film would include Doctor Strange going forward.

Doctor Strange almost didn’t make it

Cumberbatch shared that Doctor Strange won’t appear in Avengers: Doomsday. He said the story just doesn’t include his character. But a week later he retracted that, saying “I got that wrong.”

Even though some fans may be surprised, he explained that sometimes heroes take breaks from major storylines.

But he also revealed that Strange will return in Avengers: Secret Wars. That movie comes out in 2027, and he said his character plays a big part in it. He also hinted that a third solo film might be coming later.

Marvel lets him shape the role

Even though Marvel movies are huge, Cumberbatch said the studio listens to its actors. They asked who he wanted as a director or writer for the next Doctor Strange. He liked that Marvel welcomed creative ideas from him.

He said the character is still growing. Strange is smart, powerful, and flawed. That mix keeps things fresh for him as an actor. It’s why he’s still excited to wear the cloak and play the role in future projects.

Marvel helped fund smaller dreams

Thanks to Marvel, Cumberbatch became famous worldwide. He used that fame to support smaller, riskier films through his company, SunnyMarch. These are the kinds of projects that don’t always get big backing but tell stories that matter to him.

He appeared in shows like Eric and movies like Louis Wain through this company. These roles were personal and meaningful. He believes stories like these deserve to be told, even if they aren’t blockbusters or full of action scenes.

Playing grief took real emotion

In The Thing With Feathers, Cumberbatch played a father grieving his wife’s death. The role was heavy and required him to dig deep emotionally. In one scene, he folded his wife’s clothes, and it reportedly affected the film’s crew.

He said there’s no trick to acting that kind of pain. You have to feel it honestly. Whether it comes from your own life or your imagination, the goal is to be present in the moment and let the emotions guide you.

His roles come with real sacrifice

To bring characters to life, Cumberbatch often transforms himself. He lost 21 pounds for a spy role. For The Imitation Game, he wore dental pieces. For The Power of the Dog, he didn’t bathe and learned how to castrate a bull.

Director Jane Campion praised his commitment. She said he brings his full heart into every part. His parents were actors too, and she believes that acting runs in his blood. She called him a “super actor” who isn’t afraid to go deep.

His talent comes with humor too

Even though he works hard, Cumberbatch stays funny and kind. Friends like Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams describe him as fearless and limitless. On set, he does impressions and jokes, keeping the mood light between takes.

He doesn’t like the label “celebrity.” He avoids social media and prefers keeping things private. He says people online only see part of the story. Instead of chasing fame, he focuses on his work and the people he works with.

His roles break Hollywood boxes

After years as Doctor Strange, Cumberbatch noticed some directors saw him only as a superhero. He’s working to change that by choosing smaller, more artistic projects. He wants to surprise people, not just do what they expect.

He started working with Wes Anderson and other directors known for their unique styles. These films help him show new sides of himself as an actor.

Fatherhood changed his view of time

Cumberbatch said becoming a dad made him think more about how he spends time. His youngest child is turning six, and he realized he’ll be in his sixties when that child is an adult.

That thought made him stop and reflect. Now, he picks projects more carefully. He wants his work to mean something not just to audiences, but to his family.

Marvel’s major shift is now making headlines. Find out why Marvel is removing Thor from its continuity.

A kidnapping shaped his outlook

Before becoming famous, Cumberbatch was kidnapped while filming in South Africa. He and his friends were tied up by armed men and feared for their lives. The attackers let them go, but the event left a deep mark on him.

After that, he lived life with urgency. He did skydiving and took big risks. Now, with kids, he feels more grounded. But that near-death experience still drives him to take bold steps in art.

Ever wondered which superhero films cost the most? See the full list in most expensive Marvel and DC movies ranked.

What’s your take on extreme movie prep? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.