Benedict Cumberbatch has denied that taking on the lead role in Doctor Strange is a risk.
The Imitation Game actor said he is confident in Marvel Studios' ability to bring lesser-known characters to the big screen.
He also teased a "huge new element" that the 2016 film will introduce to the cinematic comic book universe.
"I don't think it's a risk because of Marvel," Cumberbatch told The Wall Street Journal. "Marvel is a stable of bringing out ordinary comic characters and turning them into screen-like gods.
"It's very different, it's an Astral Plane. There's a huge new element to this Marvel universe that's going to be employed in building this story and this character.
"But you know, I'm really excited about it, about working with [director Scott Derrickson] whose imagination is endless, and all the boys and girls at Marvel who know what they're doing."
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Cumberbatch said that he will begin shooting Doctor Strange after completing his stage run on Hamlet and filming for the next Sherlock Christmas special.
He added that he did not read comics as a child but added: "You can bet your bottom dollar I'm reading them now, avidly."
Critics questioned Marvel's decision to release a film based on the little-known Guardians of the Galaxy comic, which went on to be one of the top critical and box office hits of 2014.
Morgan Freeman, Bill Nighy and Ken Watanabe are said to be in line to play mentor the Ancient One opposite Cumberbatch in the film.
Doctor Strange will be released on November 4, 2016.
