Spellbinder

The British actor Benedict Cumberbatch already has the planet’s females in his thrall. This week he is expanding his powers to command the universe, starring as the Sorcerer Supreme of Marvel Studios’ trippy superhero adventure Doctor Strange.

- Whang Yee-Ling

Benedict Cumberbatch is nostalgic at being back in Hongkong.

The British actor, now 40 last visited as a 13-year old, when his best friend at school with parents living in the then Crown colony invited him home for the holidays. He recalls riding in a junk boat, jumping into Victoria Harbour. He is hoping for another dip: “I’m a real water baby,” Cumberbatch smiles. He is looking forward to a dim sum lunch.

Not even by the powers of Dr Stephen Strange would either be possible. There is this interview with 8 DAYS for Doctor Strange among dozens today at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Kowloon: Marvel Studios’ US$165 million (S$229 mil) action fantasy blockbuster is opening Thursday, and Hongkong is the first stop on the movie’s worldwide promotional tour.

Doctor Strange based on the 1963 graphic novel creation from Marvel Comics is the origin story of Dr Stephen Strange, an arrogant Manhattan neurosurgeon, who travels to Nepal in desperate search for a cure after a horrific car crash cripples his hands. He finds instead the isolated mountain sanctuary Kamar-Taj, a secret world of mysticism.

Tilda Swinton (see p36) plays the Ancient One, who initiates Strange in the occult arts along with his spiritual rebirth from egotist through broken man to Sorcerer Supreme.

Mads Mikkelsen is Karcillius, leading the inter dimensional dark forces against whom Strange is Earth’s last line of defence.

Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is the director. And in the title lead is Cumberbatch.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Marvel Comics superhero. “It’s a thrilling universe to be part of,” Cumberbatch says.

So continues this actor’s improbable trajectory.