Marvel shifted Doctor Strange for Benedict Cumberbatch despite interest from Joaquin Phoenix and Ryan Gosling

The Sherlock actor had 'given his word' he'd appear in a production of Hamlet

Benedict Cumberbatch can rest extremely easy knowing he was the clear favourite to play the role of Doctor Strange in the upcoming film of the same name.

It's emerged that Marvel was so desperate to have the Sherlock actor in the film that the entire film was shifted to accommodate his theatre schedule.

Cumberbatch was signed up to perform in a production of Hamlet at London's Barbican at the same time cameras were due to start rolling on the film; ever the professional, the actor told director Scott Derrickson, "I can't bail out of Hamlet. I've given my word."

In a new interview with Empire, Cumberbatch reveals how he believed he thought this had lost him the part.

"I really did think I had to kiss it goodbye," he said.

Derrickson proceeded to meet with other high-profile actors who were sniffing around the role - namely Joaquin Phoenix, Ryan Gosling and Jared Leto who went on to join the DC bandwagon as the Joker in Suicide Squad. But Derrickson was decided on one person, telling Feige: "It's got to Benedict."

Cumberbatch was more shocked than anyone to see the film's release date shifted from summer to autumn - just so he could star.

“If you can’t jump on board when the ride’s going past, that’s usually it,” he continued, "so the hugest compliment they paid me was to come back to me. It motivated me to try to fulfil their faith in me.”

Doctor Strange's cast includes Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor. It will be released on 25 October.