Acclaimed actorBenedict Cumberbatchis set to make his return toSaturday Night Livenext month. On Saturday night’s new episode of the sketch comedy series, which featured Lizzo pulling double duty as the host and musical guest,it was announcedthat Cumberbatch would host the program for the second time on May 7. He will be joined by the musical guest Arcade Fire.
This follows Cumberbatch previously hosting an episode ofSNLin 2016. Now, he comes onto the show in part to promote the new filmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, not that it needs much marketing. The highly-anticipated film will drop on May 6, just one day before Cumberbatch hostsSNL. It seems more likely than not that the Marvel multiverse will be spoofed if Cumberbatch is coming ontoSNLwhile the new movie is playing in theaters.
Cumberbatch also joinsSNLduring a season that’s brought in many other big names from the superhero world. Owen Wilson, who had a memorable role in the Disney+ seriesLoki, kicked off the season back in October. His co-star Jonathan Majors, who also stars in the upcoming sequelAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, hosted in November. He was immediately followed byShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsstar Simu Liu. Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight), and Zoe Kravitz (The Batman) have all hosted this season as well.
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Benedict Cumberbatch Also Returns to the Big Screen in May
Benedict Cumberbatch was up for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his acclaimed role inThe Power of the Dog, but his most popular role seems to be Doctor Strange. The actor’s second solo movie as the character is directed by Sam Raimi and is written by Michael Waldron. The film follows the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home with Dr. Stephen Strange traveling into the multiverse to face a new foe with the help of old and new allies from different dimensions.
Along with Cumberbatch, the film stars Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Benedict Wong as Wong, Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer. Patrick Stewart will reprise hisX-Menrole as Professor X among many other surprises. AsNo Way Homedid not officially confirm that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield were appearing in the film until its release in theaters, it seems likely that there will be some huge surprises in store for the newDoctor Strangeas well. Marvel Studios has decided not to hold any advance press screenings to further keep spoilers contained.
In any case, it is certainly a big year for Cumberbatch.Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill be released in movie theaters on May 6. Cumberbatch can then be seen hostingSaturday Night Liveon May 7 on NBC with new episodes found streaming on the streaming service Peacock after originally airing on television.
