First look: see what Benedict Cumberbatch looks like as Marvel's Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch is an amazingly convincing Doctor Strange in the first character images released from the Marvel movie of the same name.

Fans of the Sherlock star can see him transformed into the mystical superhero for the first time, ending months of speculation about how he would be portrayed in the new movie.

Interviewed for the cover of Entertainment Weekly, Benedict spoke about his role in the superhero movie – which started filming in November.

On developing the world-protecting sorcerer’s spell-casting abilities, he explained: “I’m still in the infancy of learning all that. It was like, okay, I’ve got to keep throwing these poses, these spells, these rune-casting things, everything he does physically.”

He added: “I’m thinking, there’s going to be a huge amount of speculation and intrigue over the positioning of that finger as opposed to it being there, or there. And I’m still working on that. We haven’t played any of those scenes yet.”

Benedict plays Dr Stephen Strange, an arrogant surgeon who – after a tragic car accident – discovers a hidden world of alternate dimensions and magic when a sorcerer takes him under his wing.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He will star alongside an A-List cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Scott Adkins, Amy Landecker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton in the Sixties comic book adaptation.

On playing the superhero, Benedict said: “There’s all sorts of craziness… falling, flying, jumping, fighting, punching, getting punched. It’s really rough and tumble.”

Doctor Strange will be released in UK cinemas on October 28, 2016.