A new report indicates Benedict Cumberbatch is getting a solid pay increase for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. After reducing his output over the past few years, Cumberbatch is having a big moment right now. In addition to earning serious awards buzz for his role in Netflix's The Power of the Dog, the onetime Sherlock actor is set to appear in back-to-back MCU projects. First, Cumberbatch stars alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which debuts in theaters later this week. Then, in the spring of 2022, he'll return for his second solo movie with Doctor Strange 2.

Cumberbatch has played Doctor Stephen Strange across four MCU movies so far. The Sam Raimi-directed Multiverse of Madness is expected to test the character in new ways as he confronts, as the title suggests, the growing multiverse. Plot details for that installment are still being kept tightly under wraps, likely since it ties into Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, much has been said about its sizable cast list, which includes Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and, reportedly, Tom Hiddleston.

Related: Scarlet Witch Can Be MCU Phase 4's Best Villain In Doctor Strange 2

Still, Doctor Strange 2 is Cumberbatch's show, and his salary reflects that. As reported by industry insider Matt Belloni in his recent newsletter, a source says Cumberbatch will earn $7.5 million upfront for Multiverse of Madness, as well as box office bonuses. This is an increase from his Doctor Strange salary, which was estimated to be around $5.5 million.

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This isn't quite as large as what, say, Robert Downey Jr. earned for his various Marvel movies, but that isn't too surprising. Cumberbatch is a major star, and Doctor Strange's status in the MCU is only growing. Still, he hasn't put in quite as many appearances, and Multiverse of Madness is only his second standalone movie. Assuming he will go on to star in additional MCU projects, Cumberbatch's salary could go up even higher. Plus, if Doctor Strange 2 comes anywhere close to the franchise's usual box office heights, the actor will earn a fair amount from those bonuses.

Doctor Strange 2 is being hyped as one of Marvel's most ambitious projects yet. Cumberbatch has described the movie as both bonkers and busy, which is exciting yet worrying all at once. Most recently, Doctor Strange 2 underwent reshoots due to logistical issues, though one also has to wonder if the story could contribute to that. Nevertheless, there is a lot of interest in seeing how Marvel will pull this off. Once No Way Home is released, more information about what lies ahead in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness might be revealed. Stay tuned for more.

More: Shang-Chi Turns Doctor Strange 2 Into Phase 4's Biggest Movie

Source: Matt Belloni

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