Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch could be going from supersleuth to superhero as he is said to be Marvel's number one choice to play comic book hero Doctor Strange.
The movie studio has considered several actors for a big screen version of the character - a neurosurgeon who serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, protecting Earth against mystical threats.
Now in-the-know website Deadline has reported that Marvel has set its sights on Cumberbatch and negotiations are about to begin to sign him up.
The studio has reportedly been keen to work with the British actor for some time, but will have to work around his obligations to the new series of Sherlock and starring in a stage production of Hamlet in London next year.
Doctor Strange, directed by horror movie maker Scott Derrickson, is expected to begin filming at Pinewood-Shepperton studios next May, with a release date already set for July 8 2016.
Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix was previously linked to the superhero role, but Marvel's negotiations with the actor reportedly broke down earlier this month.
Other actors said to have been under consideration included Colin Farrell, Jared Leto, Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling and Tom Hardy.
Cumberbatch will next be seen in Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game, due out next month and already attracting Oscar buzz.
Cumberbatch will also be seen fronting a new TV campaign highlighting forthcoming BBC drama programmes, while he reads from the "All the world's a stage" monologue which is delivered by Jauqes in Shakespeare's As You Like It.
The trail features clips from adaptations of the JK Rowling novel The Casual Vacancy and Roald Dahl's Esio Trot, as well as the dramatisations of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
It will be screened from this evening.
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