Discover how much the English actor Benedict Cumberbatch earned for playing the fan-favorite Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of characters, and with each new entry, new characters are introduced. Yet, there are chances that characters who are not as mainstream might end up being sidelined.

So back in 2016, when the MCU introduced Benedict Cumberbath’s Doctor Stephen Strange, it was a pleasant surprise that the character, although popular among comic book fans, ended up becoming as successful as it did. Since then, there has been no looking back for him.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange | Credits: Marvel Studios

Now one of the most integral parts of the Marvel universe, the live-action iteration’s popularity is all thanks to the magnificent job that Cumberbatch did. Not only was his entry into the Marvel fold a significant turning point in his career, but it was also vital for the superhero universe. So, naturally, fans have been interested to know the remuneration he received for his multiple appearances in the MCU.

Characterized by dazzling effects, gripping narrative, and bringing in millions of dollars worth of profit, the superhero genre is pretty giving when it comes to paychecks and lucrative deals. Hence, an A-list actor playing such an integral role, Cumberbatch surely made a fortune playing his fan-favorite Marvel character. So, without further ado, here is all you need to know about how much Benedict Cumberbatch made playing his mystical and mystifying Dr. Stephen Strange.

How much did Benedict Cumberbatch make in Doctor Strange?

Benedict Cumberbatch in Doctor Strange | Credit: Marvel Studios

Benedict Cumberbatch is a name synonymous with charm, versatility, and a great unparalleled ability to breathe life into any character he plays. Whether it is his insanely famous portrayal of Sherlock Holmes or voicing the blood-thirsty Smaug in The Hobbit film series, Cumberbatch has become a household name with his remarkable talent. So, when he was cast as the mystifying Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he had already proven his worth as an actor worthy of a hefty paycheck.

And he sure did bring home the bacon during his first-ever outing as the character. Although there has not been any official revelation of how much he earned, there have been different sources reporting different numbers.

According to JustJared, the actor reportedly earned $5.5 million from the first film, Doctor Strange (2016), which to be honest is a striking figure for an actor portraying a character that was not as mainstream among the general audience as other Marvel characters.

As for other films, for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the actor reportedly made over $7.5 million upfront along with unspecified gains from the total box bonuses.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s salary for his first MCU outing was better than what some of his co-stars received in their respective Marvel debuts

Benedict Cumberbatch reportedly had a better debut salary than some of his Marvel co-stars 

Benedict Cumberbatch certainly made a good amount of money from his Marvel debut and surprisingly, his was a paycheck that stood out among what some of his co-stars earned during their first appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While Marvel does offer a good initial salary to actors in their debut roles— often offset by the promise of lucrative contracts for future projects— Cumberbatch’s deal was notably higher.

According to The Guardian, Marvel’s first Avenger aka Chris Evans was paid just over $300,000 for his debut as Captain America. However, by the Avengers: Age of Ultron his salary was over $6.9 million.

In contrast, Chris Hemsworth who plays the God of Thunder, Thor, made just $150,000 for his first appearance in Thor (via Parade). Meanwhile, Scarlett Johansson, who debuted as Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2, made $400,000 from the film (via Screen Rant).

Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr., who literally laid the foundation for the MCU, was paid over $500,000 for his debut in 2008’s Iron Man (via CBR.com).

Meanwhile, others like Jeremy Renner earned $3 million for his first official appearance as Hawkeye in The Avengers after a short cameo in Thor, as did Mark Ruffalo for the film (via Screen Rant).

Moreover, other actors like the late Chadwick Boseman made roughly $700,000 for Captain America: Civil War (via Business Insider), Chris Pratt earned $1.5 million for Guardians of the Galaxy (via Cinema Blend), and Brie Larson took an incredible $5 million paycheck for Captain Marvel (via The Hollywood Reporter). Hence, Cumberbatch’s paycheck was better than what some of his fellow Avengers earned in their respective debuts, highlighting Marvel’s confidence in his star power and the pivotal role Dr. Strange was set to play in the franchise.

Will Benedict Cumberbatch return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Strange is now an indispensable part of the MCU | Credit: Avengers: Infinity War / Marvel Studios

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Strange basically ended up replacing the void left by the many leading Avengers we said goodbye to in Avengers: Endgame. From helping Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home to battling Wanda in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, suffice to say his character is an integral part of the MCU, and without him, a lot of plotlines would fall off.

So while his last appearance did hint at another stand-alone Doctor Strange film, the actor recently revealed that there is a lot more left for his character. While at the Red Sea Film Festival, the actor revealed, as Variety reported, that his superhero is a complex man motivated by a need to control everything at any cost and that he is very interested in seeing where these costs take him. Thus, since there is a lot more to play, Cumberbatch is excited and eager to return.

While it is not confirmed, there is a possibility that he might make an appearance in the next Spider-Man film and would potentially play a significant part in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret: Wars.

As we await an official confirmation regarding his return, there is no doubt that Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Stephen Strange has become a vital part of the MCU, without whom a lot of things and events would now feel bland. And it is all due to the actor’s talent and determination that helped shape the character into a pivotal one in the franchise’s multiversal narrative.

Doctor Strange and the rest of the MCU projects are available to be streamed on Disney+.