The line for the infamous Hall H panels at San Diego Comic-Con is now considered as much a part of  the 'Con itself as anything else. It's generally agreed that if you want to stand any chance of attending the panels in Hall H on the Saturday of Comic-Con, you need to get in line early. As in, an entire day before. It's surely a test of fans endurance as well as of their love for the films likely to be showcased, especially when San Diego has been so intensely hot in the last few days.

However, heat doesn't deter fans, and as is tradition, the line started yesterday (7/22), and it is long. Many are eagerly awaiting the Marvel panel, which doesn't start until 5:30pm PST, and is expected to feature an appearance from Doctor Strange himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as a new trailer. Though Marvel don't announce their guests in advance, given that Cumberbatch is already at the 'Con for the Sherlock panel, it would be very...strange...if he didn't show his face in Hall H under the Marvel banner, especially when Doctor Strange is the next film to be released in Marvel Studios' phase 3.

For all those in line, many of whom had been there hours already, a special treat was in store late last night, when Cumberbatch decided to pay a visit to the fans camping overnight to lift their spirits (though everyone seemed pretty happy anyway). The actor walked among the crowds, stopping to pose for selfies and to chat, and of course, his presence was very quickly announced on Twitter.

Benedict Cumberbatch just visited fans waiting in line for Hall H. #SDCC #DoctorStrange pic.twitter.com/xCogxHKlB6— Dustin Sandoval (@DustinMSandoval) 23 July 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch surprising fans waiting in line for Hall H is everything. #SDCC #DoctorStrange pic.twitter.com/BqIJoKfrE7— Dustin Sandoval (@DustinMSandoval) July 23, 2016

Cumberbatch has earned himself a reputation for being gracious to fans, and this appearance will only cement that. A popular fan-favorite, many have high expectations of his turn as Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange, and why not? The actor has earned critical acclaim for nearly every role he has played, whether on stage or screen, film or TV. Doctor Strange co-stars Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, and Mads Mikkelsen, and buzz for the Marvel Hall H panel, which will showcase Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, started when Doctor Strange costumes went on display at the 'Con.

Doctor Strange is understood to follow the comic books in exploring the more supernatural side of the comic book movie genre, and is said to stick closely to source material. Co-writer C. Robert Cargill described it as "as crazy as it gets," but thus far, the 'strange' element of the movie hasn't really come to the fore in posters and teasers. Hopefully, the longed-for Comic-Con trailer will delve into this a little further.

Doctor Strange opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, followed by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.

Source: Twitter

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