'Doctor Strange 2' goes beyond thrills and spills to humanise superheroes: Cumberbatch

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch says it is important to go beyond the "thrills and spills" of the superhero genre and shine a light on real-life concerns like mental health, something that his upcoming film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness delves into beautifully.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is known for dealing with issues beneath the facade of superhero persona, like Disney+ series Loki and Moon Knight touched upon various aspects of mental health.

On the film side, Avengers: Infinity War depicted the impact of depression on Thor while Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings showed how grief informs a character's development.

The part two of Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange (2016) marks the 45-year-old star's fifth appearance as Dr Stephen Strange aka Sorcerer Supreme in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The actor, whose character in the first part of the hit movie series was seen struggling to cope with a career-altering accident as a surgeon before he finds enlightenment, said fans will get to learn how trauma moulded Dr Strange and continues to inform his journey as a sorcerer.

Cumberbatch said his character is out on a limb this time as different worlds spill into his present reality.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will see Dr Strange trying to contain the aftermath of the multiverse-fracturing spell, which he cast in the 2021 hit film Spider-Man: No Way Home, causing villains from across the multiverse to invade the central Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline.

The Emmy and BAFTA winner said fans will have to watch the movie to know how these issues are tackled this time. "

The actor, who has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was recently nominated for a best actor Oscar for "The Power of the Dog", said he feels overwhelmed in a pleasant way and slightly embarrassed at times while talking about the work he has done over the last 20 years.

Cumberbatch has won numerous accolades for his performance in films such as Van Gogh: Painted With Words, 12 Years a Slave, The Imitation Game and The Power of the Dog.

He is also a popular face on the television courtesy shows such as Sherlock and Patrick Melrose.

Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

The film is scheduled to be released in theatres across India in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam on Friday.