Benedict Cumberbatch Opens Up About His ‘Grueling Diet’ for Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch opened up about his intense workout routine and “terrible diet” in preparation for his recurring role as Marvel’s Doctor Strange.
“For me, the exercise is great,” Cumberbatch, 49, mentioned during a Tuesday, July 22, episode of the “Ruthie’s Table 4” podcast. “In the end, you feel strong and confident — you carry yourself better. The stamina from both the exercise and the diet helps you get through your work.”
The actor, who has portrayed Dr. Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since 2016, admits that while the exercise and nutrition boost his mood, it’s not exactly his preferred activity.
“But it’s horrific. Personally, I dislike it,” he explained. “Eating more than you want feels terrible. It raises questions of responsibility and sustainability — honestly, what am I doing? I could likely feed a family with what I consume.”
Cumberbatch went on to share that for each Marvel film preparation, he has to consume five meals daily along with “a couple of boiled eggs between those meals, or some protein-rich snacks like cheese and crackers or almond butter and crackers — lots of crackers.”
While managing such a demanding regimen of exercise and high protein intake can be challenging, Cumberbatch emphasizes that working on these films is truly enjoyable.
“I love it. I love transforming my body for my role,” he stated. “With Marvel, it’s like a big playground. They have all the resources. You have a person who can guide your diet, and they even cook for you. We had an amazing chef on the last Doctor Strange film.”
Cumberbatch has appeared as neurosurgeon Stephen Strange in multiple Marvel films, including 2016’s Doctor Strange, 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Nearly four years after his last appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Cumberbatch is returning for Avengers: Doomsday, set to hit theaters in December 2026. The sequel will also feature Chris Hemsworth, Sebastian Stan, Antony Mackie, Vanessa Kirby, Paul Rudd, Letitia Wright, Robert Downey Jr., Wyatt Russell, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Florence Pugh, Kelsey Grammer, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Joseph Quinn, David Harbour, Winston Duke, Hannah John-Kamen, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Allan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Channing Tatum, and Pedro Pascal.
Recently, Marvel chief Kevin Feige provided an update on Avengers: Doomsday, stating that while filming is underway, they are still finalizing the script.
“There’s a lot of exciting developments happening daily on the Avengers: Doomsday set right now, and it’s incredible to observe because these filmmakers and actors, whether they are portraying these characters for the first time or for the 10th or 12th time, are the best in the world and know these characters inside and out,” Feige, 52, shared at a press event on Sunday, July 20, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Feige further mentioned that if the actors “have an idea,” they are always keen to “listen and adjust accordingly.”
“I wouldn’t want to change that,” he concluded.
