Doctor Strange star Benedict Cumberbatch backs calls for all-female Marvel film

‘We’re seeing the rise of the female superhero and why not? It’d be great’

Benedict Cumberbatch has supported calls for Marvel to release an all-female superhero film starring the likes of Brie Larson, Scarlett Johansson and Elizabeth Olsen.

Cumberbatch, who appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Strange, said it would be “great” if the film studio were to release a women-only blockbuster.

“Yeah, bring it, why not?” the actor told BuzzFeed News’ AM to DM show. There’s space for that definitely. We’re seeing the rise of the female superhero and why not? It’d be great.”

He is the latest Marvel star to endorse the idea of an ‘A-Force’ film, which has long been touted by fans and hinted at by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

Tessa Thompson, who played Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame, last week said her fellow female cast members are “eager” for the film to be made.

“There’s definitely a precedent for it in terms of the canon, you know, all-female lineups exist in Marvel comics, so I certainly think it could happen in the MCU,” she told ET.

“It’s something I know all the women that I talk to who are in the MCU are very eager for and fans seem to like the idea too.”

Her co-star Elizabeth Olsen, who portrays Scarlet Witch in the MCU, last month said an all-female film would have a “huge impact” if it ever came to fruition.

“I think people really love these characters. I feel like all the men in Marvel movies have done such a brilliant job with satisfying a lot of things our audiences want, and they’re funny and they’re talented,” she said.

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“And so are all the women. And to give them more screen time, I think, would be a huge impact because comics aren’t just for boys who want to watch big boys.”

Captain Marvel star Brie Larson has described the idea as “something that we’re really passionate about and we love”, while Scarlett Johansson, who plays Black Widow, has said she is “pushing” for Marvel to make the film, adding that it would “explosive”.